Page 296 - 2017 White Paper
P. 296
7 White Paper on the Business Environment in China
The gist of the draft is, again courtesy of China Daily: Reforms in Retail
The draft law sets operating standards for travel In April 2014, China embarked on a major overhaul of
businesses and scenic areas, and prohibits travel agencies its consumer protection law. According to China Briefing
from forcing tourists to purchase goods. by Dezan Shira & Associates, “the new law introduces
a number of important reforms to the Chinese retail
Tipping will be at the discretion of the tourist, it states. environment: In allegations of counterfeiting, the onus of
proof is now on the retailer to prove their innocence for
The draft targets agencies offering so-called free tours, the first 6 months after the sale, rather than the consumer
or even incentive tours, where the traveler is given a small to prove wrongdoing all the time, as previously; penalties
amount of cash or a gift. for fraud and false advertising have been increased; class-
action lawsuits against retailer malfeasance have been
These tours operate on a kickback system. Tourists made easier to file (though limited to state Consumer
are taken to shops at pre-determined sites where goods Associations and their local branches); retailers are now
are often sold at inflated prices, and the agency gets a required to accept goods for return within 7 days of
kickback (Tan 2012). purchase unless agreed otherwise; for online and other
types of delivery purchases, consumers are not required
Other stipulations include that “Ticket prices should to provide a reason for returns; and Greater restrictions
follow government pricing and any change in price now apply to retailers’ collection and use of consumer
should be announced to the public six months before data” (Dezan Shira & Associates 2014).
implementation” and also that “Scenic spots should
control the maximum number of tourists, to ensure Let’s Get Physical: New National Fitness
safety, especially on public holidays” (Tan 2012). Plan
As of December 5, 2012, no mention of the law On June 23, 2016, China’s State Council approved
beyond the original reports of its draft form being read the new 2016-2020 National Fitness Plan, which has
by the National People’s Congress could be found, either ambitious targets for national fitness levels and increased
on China Daily’s website or in a broader Google query for sports participation. It also sets out to introduce a
“china tourism law”. new national consciousness of health and fitness,
incorporating regular physical exercise and sports
New Direction in National Tourism activities into the weekly routine of over one billion
Strategy citizens by 2020. The plan also factors in the health of the
elderly by investing in improvement of fitness facilities
In March 2013, China embarked on a new direction in retirement communities and providing specialist
in its national tourism strategy when The Outline for guidance regarding fitness, which will aid the support of
National Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020), which had a rapidly increasing elderly population in China. Health
been long advocated by the China National Tourism and fitness expenditure is estimated to reach 1.5 trillion
Administration, was issued by the State Council. In a yuan if these targets are reached (Lidell 2016).
report, the United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO) hailed the document as a “landmark” will see The National Fitness Plan serves as a boost for China’s
the complete redefinition of tourism development and sports and fitness industries, and clearly, the construction
management in the country, spark an increase in Chinese of further sports and fitness facilities will be required to
outbound tourism and promote a greater distribution of realize the plan’s goals. The plan makes provisions for
the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits a sports facility network, which should provide access
of tourism. The document also “presents a roadmap for to sports and fitness spaces within 15 minutes for both
restructuring the current paid leave system across China” urban and rural residents, with 1.8m2 of public space
(United Nations World Tourism Organization, Regional designated for sport and fitness activities per person.
Programme for Asia and the Pacific 2013).
According to the South China Morning Post, within its
13th Five-Year Plan, the General Administration of Sport
of China has the goal of creating an industry worth 3,000
296
The gist of the draft is, again courtesy of China Daily: Reforms in Retail
The draft law sets operating standards for travel In April 2014, China embarked on a major overhaul of
businesses and scenic areas, and prohibits travel agencies its consumer protection law. According to China Briefing
from forcing tourists to purchase goods. by Dezan Shira & Associates, “the new law introduces
a number of important reforms to the Chinese retail
Tipping will be at the discretion of the tourist, it states. environment: In allegations of counterfeiting, the onus of
proof is now on the retailer to prove their innocence for
The draft targets agencies offering so-called free tours, the first 6 months after the sale, rather than the consumer
or even incentive tours, where the traveler is given a small to prove wrongdoing all the time, as previously; penalties
amount of cash or a gift. for fraud and false advertising have been increased; class-
action lawsuits against retailer malfeasance have been
These tours operate on a kickback system. Tourists made easier to file (though limited to state Consumer
are taken to shops at pre-determined sites where goods Associations and their local branches); retailers are now
are often sold at inflated prices, and the agency gets a required to accept goods for return within 7 days of
kickback (Tan 2012). purchase unless agreed otherwise; for online and other
types of delivery purchases, consumers are not required
Other stipulations include that “Ticket prices should to provide a reason for returns; and Greater restrictions
follow government pricing and any change in price now apply to retailers’ collection and use of consumer
should be announced to the public six months before data” (Dezan Shira & Associates 2014).
implementation” and also that “Scenic spots should
control the maximum number of tourists, to ensure Let’s Get Physical: New National Fitness
safety, especially on public holidays” (Tan 2012). Plan
As of December 5, 2012, no mention of the law On June 23, 2016, China’s State Council approved
beyond the original reports of its draft form being read the new 2016-2020 National Fitness Plan, which has
by the National People’s Congress could be found, either ambitious targets for national fitness levels and increased
on China Daily’s website or in a broader Google query for sports participation. It also sets out to introduce a
“china tourism law”. new national consciousness of health and fitness,
incorporating regular physical exercise and sports
New Direction in National Tourism activities into the weekly routine of over one billion
Strategy citizens by 2020. The plan also factors in the health of the
elderly by investing in improvement of fitness facilities
In March 2013, China embarked on a new direction in retirement communities and providing specialist
in its national tourism strategy when The Outline for guidance regarding fitness, which will aid the support of
National Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020), which had a rapidly increasing elderly population in China. Health
been long advocated by the China National Tourism and fitness expenditure is estimated to reach 1.5 trillion
Administration, was issued by the State Council. In a yuan if these targets are reached (Lidell 2016).
report, the United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO) hailed the document as a “landmark” will see The National Fitness Plan serves as a boost for China’s
the complete redefinition of tourism development and sports and fitness industries, and clearly, the construction
management in the country, spark an increase in Chinese of further sports and fitness facilities will be required to
outbound tourism and promote a greater distribution of realize the plan’s goals. The plan makes provisions for
the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits a sports facility network, which should provide access
of tourism. The document also “presents a roadmap for to sports and fitness spaces within 15 minutes for both
restructuring the current paid leave system across China” urban and rural residents, with 1.8m2 of public space
(United Nations World Tourism Organization, Regional designated for sport and fitness activities per person.
Programme for Asia and the Pacific 2013).
According to the South China Morning Post, within its
13th Five-Year Plan, the General Administration of Sport
of China has the goal of creating an industry worth 3,000
296
