China
Time to reset Australian international education
Author: Fran Martin, University of Melbourne
In the context of the long-term erosion of public funding for universities, education has become one of Australia’s most valuable export commodities. Not only do international students’ fees bolster the revenue of universities, but their spending on other goods and services also makes a significant contribution to the communities where they live. In 2018–19, they contributed AU$37.6 billion (US$25.1 billion) to the national economy.
In recent years, students from China have consistently been the biggest group of international students in Australia — about 30 per cent — with over 200,000 in September 2019. In Group of Eight universities, Chinese students comprise 60 per cent of the international student body. Fears of over-concentration are driving universities to attempt to diversify source countries for international enrolments. But relative levels of economic development in alternative source countries mean that it is unlikely in the short to medium-term that China could be replaced.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to Australian international education. Travel bans have seen around 120,000 international students stuck overseas. Those who are stranded in Australia are struggling financially: without income from casual work, excluded from federal safety nets and lacking the means to return home. Universities Australia estimates that revenue across the nation’s universities will decline by AU$3–4.6 billion in 2020 as a result of disruption to international enrolments. Anxieties are running high about the future of Australian international education and its higher education sector as a whole.
What factors could adversely affect international students’ desire to study in Australia after COVID-19, and how can Australia improve this outlook?
The quality of student experience does not rely solely on the excellence of the education they receive. Rather, as Bruce Baird observed in his 2010 review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, ‘Australia’s international education reputation depends on how well we provide for the wellbeing of international students and their whole experience of studying and living in Australia’.
Hospitality, living and wellbeing factors rank highly in a prospective international student’s choice of where to study. A sense of local connection and social inclusion is also a prime factor influencing a student’s likelihood of recommending a study destination to acquaintances. The experiences of current cohorts of Chinese students can influence the choices of future students about where to study, affecting the long-term sustainability of international education in Australia.
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, life for Chinese students in Australia was not rosy. Research findings show that many experience vulnerabilities including: limited access to reliable local information and vulnerability to misinformation, racism and social exclusion, and restricted opportunities for intercultural mixing. On a more institutional level, many experience restricted or exploitative work, exploitation in rental accommodation, difficulties engaging effectively with Australian police processes as victims of crime and difficulties accessing Australian health systems including mental health support.
To address these problems, international students must be reconceptualised as part of the national youth population with associated rights as such. International students are part of Australian communities, and the benefits that they bring extend beyond universities.
Supporting these young people requires four key measures. First, Australia should work to improve communication with international students, especially in-language and via relevant social media platforms. Second, Australia can develop more effective regulation to protect international students’ rights and interests, such as systematically regulating information provision and homestay standards. Third, increased support for local agencies is necessary for them to respond effectively to international students’ needs. One example is increased resourcing to support the provision of legal advice on tenants’ and workers’ rights. Finally, further collaboration with culturally and linguistically diverse communities can help to develop effective systems to safeguard international students’ wellbeing.
Currently, under the ESOS Framework, education providers are responsible for providing information and services to international students to…
Business
China’s Golden Rooster Film Festival Kicks Off in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
The 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival began in Xiamen on Nov 13, featuring awards, cultural projects worth 31.63 billion yuan, and fostering international film collaborations.
2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Opens
The 2024 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival commenced in Xiamen, Fujian province, on November 13. This prestigious event showcases the top film awards in China and spans four days, concluding with the China Golden Rooster Awards ceremony on November 16.
The festival features various film exhibitions, including the Golden Rooster Mainland Film Section and the Golden Rooster International Film Section. These showcases aim to highlight the achievements of Chinese-language films and foster global cultural exchanges within the film industry.
On the festival’s opening day, a significant milestone was reached with the signing of 175 cultural and film projects, valued at 31.63 billion yuan ($4.36 billion). Additionally, the International Film and Television Copyright Service Platform was launched, furthering the globalization of Chinese film and television properties.
Source : China’s Golden Rooster film festival opens in Xiamen – Thailand Business News
China
Italy and China New DTA Set to Take Effect in 2025: Important Changes and Implications
Italy ratified an upgraded Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with China, effective in 2025, to reduce tax burdens, prevent evasion, and enhance investment. The DTA introduces modern provisions aligned with international standards, targeting tax avoidance and improving dispute resolution for Italian businesses.
Italy recently ratified the upgraded Double Tax Agreement (DTA), which will finally take effect in 2025. This agreement was signed in 2019 and was designed to reduce tax burdens, prevent tax evasion, and promote Italian investment in China.
On November 5, 2024, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies gave final approval to the ratification of the 2019 Double Tax Agreement (DTA) between Italy and China (hereinafter, referred to as the “new DTA”).
Set to take effect in 2025, the new DTA is aimed at eliminating double taxation on income, preventing tax evasion, and creating a more favorable environment for Italian businesses operating in China.
The ratification bill for the new DTA consists of four articles, with Article 3 detailing the financial provisions. Starting in 2025, the implementation costs of the agreement are estimated at €10.86 million (US$11.49 million) annually. These costs will be covered by a reduction in the special current expenditure fund allocated in the Italian Ministry of Economy’s 2024 budget, partially drawing from the reserve for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the parliamentary debate, Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli emphasized the new DTA’s strategic importance, noting that the agreement redefines Italy’s economic and financial framework with China. Cirielli highlighted that the DTA not only strengthens relations with the Chinese government but also supports Italian businesses, which face increasing competition as other European countries have already established double taxation agreements with China. This ratification, therefore, is part of a broader series of diplomatic and economic engagements, leading up to a forthcoming visit by the President of the Italian Republic to China, underscoring Italy’s commitment to fostering bilateral relations and supporting its businesses in China’s complex market landscape.
The newly signed DTA between Italy and China, introduces several modernized provisions aligned with international tax frameworks. Replacing the 1986 DTA, the agreement adopts measures from the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project and the OECD Multilateral Instrument (MLI), targeting tax avoidance and improving dispute resolution.
The Principal Purpose Test (PPT) clause, inspired by BEPS, is one of the central updates in the new DTA, working to prevent treaty abuse. This clause allows tax benefits to be denied if one of the primary purposes of a transaction or arrangement was to gain a tax advantage, a move to counter tax evasion through treaty-shopping.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
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Business
China’s New Home Prices Stabilize After 17-Month Decline Following Support Measures
China’s new home prices fell for the 17th month in October, declining 0.5% from September, but slowing, indicating potential market stabilization amid supportive measures. Second-hand home prices showed mixed trends.
Decline in China’s Home Prices Stabilizes
China’s new home prices continued to decline in October for the 17th consecutive month, although the drop showed signs of slowing. Recent support measures from Beijing appear to be inching the market toward stabilization, as evidenced by a lighter decline compared to earlier months.
Monthly and Yearly Comparisons
According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, new home prices across 70 mainland cities fell by 0.5% from September, marking the smallest decrease in seven months. Year-on-year, prices dropped by 6.2%, slightly worse than the September decline of 6.1%. In tier-1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai, prices decreased by 0.2%, a smaller fall than 0.5% in the previous month.
Second-Hand Home Market Trends
Second-hand home prices in tier-1 cities experienced a 0.4% increase in October, reversing a 13-month downward trend. Conversely, tier-2 cities observed a 0.4% drop in second-hand prices, while tier-3 cities faced a similar 0.5% decline. Overall, recent trends indicate a potential stabilization in China’s property market.
Source : China’s new home prices slow 17-month decline after support measures kick in
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