On 28-30 August 2026, State Taxation Administration (STA) Commissioner Hu Jinglin conducted a three-day inspection tour of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, visiting tax offices in Urumqi, Kashgar, and the Khorgos Economic Development Zone. The visit focused on evaluating the implementation of tax policies supporting Xinjiang’s role as a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and assessing progress on the “Spring Breeze” taxpayer service initiatives. Commissioner Hu emphasized that tax departments must thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, consolidating achievements from the recent thematic education campaign while aligning tax work with the strategic objectives of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). He highlighted four priority areas: optimizing the business environment through digital tax services, strengthening cross-border tax cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing revenue quality to support fiscal sustainability, and deepening Party discipline within the tax system.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Alignment with 15th Five-Year Plan: Commissioner Hu explicitly linked current tax operations to the “opening year” of the 15th Five-Year Plan, directing tax authorities to proactively design policy frameworks supporting Xinjiang’s industrial upgrading, green energy transition, and westward opening-up strategy. This signals forthcoming targeted tax incentives for strategic sectors including new materials, clean energy, and modern agriculture.
- Cross-Border Tax Cooperation Deepening: During his visit to the Khorgos port, Hu stressed the need to implement the “International Transport Tax Service Guide” (released July 2026) and expand mutual recognition of AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) status with Central Asian countries. He called for streamlined VAT refund procedures for export goods and enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms under bilateral tax treaties.
- Digital Service Transformation Mandate: The inspection underscored the “non-contact” tax service model, with Hu directing full deployment of the “Electronic Tax Bureau” mobile app and AI-powered intelligent consulting across all Xinjiang tax offices by year-end 2026. He cited the target of achieving 95% online processing rate for high-frequency tax matters and reducing average processing time by 30% compared to 2025 levels.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement