Tax on Big Cars Raised to Save Fuel

Sept 1st, taxes for owners of large cars will be raised and reduced for smaller ones in attempt to save energy and reduce pollution. The Ministry of Finance will add an additional 40 percent tax for 4-liter capacity engines, 15 to 25 percent for 3 and 4 liters engines, and a 3 to 1 percent increase on engines below 1-liter capacity.

China Central Bank to Blacklist Foreign Bankcards Involved in Fraud

In an attempt to curb fraud and maintain an Olympic-friendly spending environment, the People's Bank of China will blacklist foreign bankcards involved in fraud cases .According to Ouyang Weimin, director general of the Payment and Settlement Department of the People's Bank of China,  the list will aid the respective banks, merchants and other agencies in halting services for suspects.

Guangdong to Construct "Wireless Cities Network"

The Department of Information Industry of Guangdong Province announced yesterday (August 13th) that Guangdong is preparing to construct the first "wireless cities network" of China. Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan are the first probable candidates for testing. Upon completion, citizens will be able to access the wireless internet network anywhere in these four cities.

7.1% Increase of Guangzhou's CPI in July

Guangzhou's CPI increased 7.1% in July, surpassing Guangdong Province and the nation and rising 1.5% higher than June's rate.  Food price markups, especially vegetable prices due to rainstorms, both contribute to the CPI rise in July. The provincial retail price watchdog revealed yesterday (August 13th) that the food price trends decrease in August. Vegetable prices are estimated to decline as well.

Measures Taken in Guangzhou's Water Management

According to a senior official of Guangzhou municipality, 6 measures will be taken in the management of Western Guangzhou's water resources. Among them, the project of diversion from Xijiang River will start soon and is expected to be finished before the end of 2010.