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Nanning, Guilin and Fangchenggang cities of Guangxi will be the first to apply the policy with minimum refund of CNY500 (about USD73) with refund rate of 11 percent. The money will be returned in cash or via bank transfers.Lai Fuqiang, vice director of the autonomous region's culture and tourism department, said that in order to better inform the passengers of the policy, the department has prepared handbooks in Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese.He said that Guangxi receives a large number of inbound tourists each year.According to local authorities, Guangxi received over 5.12 million inbound visitors last year, creating USD2.39 billion of forex tourist consumption in which 20.9 percent was spent on shopping./. CPV/VNA … [Read more...] about China’s Guangxi province to apply tax refund policy for tourists

(Source: KWQC)The waterway survey along the western border was conducted to facilitate joint use of the estuary of the Han river, where civilian access has been restricted due to military tensions.RoK's Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said that the 35-day survey that began on November 5th, wrapped up with an on-site meeting on December 9th.The 20-member team conducted the survey of a total route of 660 kilometers.The Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency plans to study the results of the survey and publish the initial version of a map of the waters by January 25th.The survey was the first conducted in 65 years after the armistice agreement to jointly use the Han river estuary by the two Koreas in accordance with the military sector agreement for the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration in September./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...] about Two Koreas complete joint survey of Han river waterway

The two countries attended the 25th Thai-Lao General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting in Bangkok, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and Lao National Defence Minister Lt Gen Chansamone Chanyalath.Delegates take photo at the 25th Thai-Lao General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting (Source: news.thaivisa.com)Before the meeting, the two officials met to discuss cooperation on various security policies.The meeting agreed on a joint framework to maintain peace along the Thai-Lao border, which consists of deploying armed border patrols; prisoner transfer agreements; efforts to prevent the smuggling of contraband, drugs, and human trafficking; and joint national security cooperation.Furthermore, the air forces of both countries agreed for the first time to measures to enhance drug prevention and suppression efforts by establishing a joint border committee./. CPV/VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand, Laos agree on border security

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (right) and Head of the National Prosecuting Authority Shamila Batohi (Source: GCIS)President Ramaphosa made the announcement at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on December 4th. "After consideration of their recommendations, I have decided, in terms of Section 179 of the Constitution, to appoint Advocate Shamila Batohi as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions. I am confident that Advocate Batohi possesses all the attributes of a capable NDPP," Ramaphosa said. Batohi was among five candidates recommended to the President to be considered for the position. Ms. Batohi will be the first woman to lead the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). She is a former director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal and senior legal adviser at the International Criminal Court.  Shamila Batohi described the NPA as a house on fire and said the NDPP position would be like a shark tank. She will start her term in February next year after … [Read more...] about South Africa’s President appoints Shamila Batohi as new NPA Head