China

换房退个税政策延续实施 专家：体现对今年着力稳住房地产市场的支持

STCN | Local Language | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | UndeterminedReal Estate

On January 14, 2026, the Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced the continuation of the personal income tax refund policy for residents engaging in home exchanges. The policy, effective from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, provides that taxpayers who sell owner-occupied housing and repurchase within one year can receive a refund of the personal income tax paid on the original sale, with the refund amount depending on the value of the new home relative to the sold property.

The policy clarifies that the transfer amount of the current residence refers to its market transaction price, while the purchase amount for a new home is based on its transaction price as documented in signed contracts. This measure continues an existing policy that was first introduced in 2022 and extended through the end of 2025, aimed at supporting market stability and reducing purchase costs for families seeking improved housing.

Industry experts view the continuation as a sign of policy stability and a tool to stimulate market transaction activity by lowering transaction costs. Analysts highlight its role in encouraging buyers already planning to purchase homes, citing additional supporting policies such as mortgage interest subsidies and recent reductions in VAT rates on housing resales that contribute to lowering overall transaction burdens.

The China Index Research Institute and other experts see these layered policies as fostering greater market activity, especially within the second-hand housing sector, potentially repairing market expectations. The ongoing support is expected to help stabilize the real estate market in 2026 by facilitating home exchanges and boosting both second-hand and new housing transactions, with recommendations for local governments to maximize policy effectiveness and capitalize on favorable conditions like housing price stabilization.

Global Times | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Corporate Corruption or Fraud

China has incorporated big data and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into its anti-corruption campaign, as highlighted in the fourth episode of an annual anti-corruption documentary series produced by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the National Commission of Supervision, and China Central Television (CCTV). The documentary revealed intensified efforts to target cross-border corruption using technological tools to conduct comprehensive investigations.

A key case featured was that of Li Yong, former general manager of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), investigated in March 2024 and expelled from the Communist Party in September 2024 for severe disciplinary violations. Over 83 percent of his illicit gains originated overseas, involving 10 countries and regions in the investigative process. Authorities applied data-driven analysis on extensive business records to identify bribery suspects linked to Li, including businessman Ren Fengde, who laundered illegal proceeds and maintained a reciprocal corrupt relationship with Li.

Li Yong was sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined 3 million yuan in August 2025 for bribery. The campaign’s use of big data and AI tools has notably strengthened China’s technological approach to anti-corruption efforts.

The documentary also addressed emerging corruption methods, particularly bribery through virtual currencies. Another high-profile case involved Yao Qian, former director at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, who was investigated in April 2024 for abusing his position and accepting illicit payments totaling 12 million yuan, some involving virtual currencies. Yao was expelled from the Party in November 2024 and his case moved to the procuratorate for prosecution, marking a significant step in tackling hidden, technology-facilitated bribery.

China Daily | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

On January 13, 2026, China successfully installed the world's first 20-megawatt offshore wind turbine off the coast of Fujian province. This project, developed under a national R&D program by China Three Gorges Corp (CTG), features all major components independently produced in China and marks a significant advancement in offshore wind technology, proving the viability of ultra-large-scale turbines in harsh, far-shore environments more than 30 kilometers from shore and at depths over 40 meters.

The turbine, with a rotor diameter of 300 meters and a swept area of approximately 66,000 square meters, demonstrates breakthroughs in lightweight engineering, reducing the weight-per-megawatt ratio by over 20 percent compared to industry averages. This innovation lowers underwater foundation costs and overall capital expenditure, addressing key logistical and financial challenges previously hindering deep-sea offshore wind projects globally. Installation utilized advanced maritime engineering, including a fourth-generation wind power installation vessel with a 2,000-metric-ton lifting capacity and high-precision positioning systems for millimeter-level accuracy.

This milestone represents a strategic shift in China’s offshore energy approach, moving from nearshore exploration to deploying high-capacity units in deeper waters, thereby overcoming limitations faced by Europe and North America. China aims to install at least 120 gigawatts of new wind power annually during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), with offshore wind contributing at least 15 gigawatts per year. As of 2024, China's cumulative wind power capacity reached 520 gigawatts, reflecting rapid growth and positioning offshore installations as key drivers of the country's energy expansion and global green energy transition. Challenges remain with development and maintenance costs in deep-sea projects, but integrating offshore wind with other industries could enhance economic viability and broader marine economic growth.