China Raises Taxes on Contraceptives, Exempts Childcare

Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided text:

* China is increasing taxes, even on items like condoms, due to a ⁤struggling ​housing market and growing public debt. They are looking to collect revenue “wherever possible.”
* Value-added tax makes up a important portion of china’s tax revenue (nearly 40% last year).
* ‌ China is trying to boost its low fertility rate. Taxing condoms is ​seen as a⁣ symbolic effort in this direction.
* Implementation​ of pro-natal policies ‍is hampered by indebted ⁣provincial governments. It’s⁢ uncertain if they ⁤have the resources to support these initiatives.
*⁢ Government⁢ intervention in personal reproductive choices is causing concern. People may react ‌negatively to what they⁣ perceive as overly intrusive policies.
* Reports of local officials inquiring about women’s menstrual cycles and childbearing plans have emerged, raising privacy concerns and‌ damaging the government’s image.
* Henrietta Levin (Center for Strategic and International studies) believes the Communist Party’s tendency to over-control‍ is hindering its own​ efforts ‍ to address the low birth rate.

The image shows children in a classroom in Nanchang, China, and is attributed to Getty Images.