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In 2023, tax departments investigated and exposed a number of typical cases of tax evasion and achieved positive results. Could you provide details about these cases? Additionally, what is this year's plan for combating tax-related illegal activities? Thank you.

Huang Yun:

Thank you for your questions. The tax departments have been rigorously enforcing laws against tax-related crimes as an effective way to optimize the taxation and business environment. In 2023, the tax departments investigated and penalized 135,000 illegal taxpayers in accordance with the law, recovering 181 billion yuan in various types of tax losses. They also collaborated with public security departments to take compulsory measures against 8,228 suspects, resulting in 539 surrendering to the authorities. The tax departments have upheld orderly economic taxation based on the rule of law and justice.

First, we have cracked down on tax fraud through the issuance of false invoices. By focusing on tax-related illegal activities such as issuing false invoices from fake enterprises, falsifying export refund claims, and making deceptive declarations for tax preferences, we have worked with relevant departments to implement targeted measures. We investigated a batch of illegal companies and dismantled a number of criminal gangs. In 2023, we handled 5,042 cases of illegal tax breaks and investigated 2,599 companies suspected of defrauding export tax rebates, retrieving about 16.6 billion yuan in export tax refund losses.

Second, we stepped up efforts to regulate key industries and sectors. We launched a special campaign focusing on potential tax-related violations in major industries and fields, and we tightened our efforts to investigate a batch of major tax evasion cases. In particular, we enhanced taxation supervision in the cultural and entertainment fields, investigated typical tax evasion cases involving celebrities and livestreamers, regulated the taxation order in these industries, and promoted the healthy development of relevant sectors.

Third, we explored an integrated mechanism involving multiple departments to combat violations. In 2023, the Supreme People's Court and the General Administration of Market Regulation joined the regular mechanism for joint crackdown on tax-related violations, increasing the number of participating departments from six to eight. This mechanism covers the whole work process, including administrative law enforcement and criminal justice, enabling an integrated crackdown on tax-related illegal activities. The departments jointly launched the "Sharp Sword 2023" campaign, dismantling 127 tax-related organized criminal gangs, and arrested 1,619 criminal suspects through cross-regional and cross-departmental data sharing, as well as joint analysis and research.

Fourth, we continued to expose cases to enhance deterrence against illegal behavior. We increased the exposure of typical cases of tax violations, disclosing 243 cases throughout the year in accordance with the level and category of each case. Meanwhile, we strengthened the systems of incentives and punishments involving various departments and strictly implemented the blacklist system for tax violations. We disclosed 17,324 major cases of tax violations and dishonesty.

In 2024, tax departments will join relevant departments to combat all kinds of tax violations, especially professional and gang-style crimes and instigators and colluders. We will implement law-based and targeted measures, comprehensive governance, and expose them regularly and for a long-term, striving to build a more standardized and orderly taxation and business environment that showcases law-based governance and justice. Thank you.