Netizens' choices of State Council top 10 policies in 2014

No 7

College graduates get help in jobs, businesses

A circular issued in May helps college graduates find a job or start their own business.

If small and micro enterprises employ fresh college graduates, sign a contract with them for more than a year and pay the employers’ contribution of social security in full and on time, the government will offer a yearlong subsidy to these enterprises to cover all or part of their contributions to the graduates’ social security. This benefit will expire by the end of 2015.

Small and micro tech startups can apply for loans up to 2 million yuan (about $322,000), and the government will pay interest if the enterprises employ a stipulated number of fresh graduates.

Small and micro businesses owned by college graduates pay half the enterprise income tax, and are temporarily exempt from business and value added taxes if the monthly turnover is less than 20,000 yuan.

College graduates who open online stores can enjoy micro loans for which the government will pay interest.

No 8

Promoting fair competition

In a policy issued in July, authorities across the country were asked to set up a negative list for market entry so that enterprises can enter any industry or business not on the list.

The authorities should set up a system where sellers, instead of producers, compensate consumers upfront for bad products, as well as a national credit information database.

No 9

Pricing system reform

According to a November decision, the government’s discretion to determine product prices is reduced, and the pricing system will be more market-oriented and transparent.

The government will not set price controls on services that have no direct bearing on daily life.

The government sets a price cap for some medicines but is working to remove controls so that pharmaceutical companies are encouraged to resume production of medicines now stopped due to the low prices.

No 10

Charities get helping hand

According to December circular, the donation an enterprise or a person makes, with certain provisions, is tax-deductible. Charity programs lasting more than 6 months should be open to public scrutiny every three months to explain how the donations are being used. Organizations running such programs should reveal all information on donations used within three months after they end.