Goes to show that effectively enforcing the already existing work permit requirements to prevent students and travellers from working illegally would go much further to raise the level, than raising work permit requirements ever will.

HFCampo, I disagree that this is the reason.

Not entirely sure what you refer to in your description, but if I dare to guess, such behaviour would and does occur just as easily with simple tourists and backpackers, and tightening work permit requirements would have limited impact on it.

If there is need to raise standards for teachers, then from Beijing's standpoint I image it to be that there simply is decreasing need for non-qualified English teachers, and even for the qualified there is need to raise the bar.

Kids in 1st tier cities are getting better and better in English, and there is increasing volume of foreign educated Chinese nationals returning home instead of making a life abroad. Those can fill many teaching positions, even if unqualified as teachers.

That said, the regulatory changes described are in no way limited to teachers. Even in Kunming there are foreigners working in other fields too and the new rules will apply to them as well.

I assume that you are already using the Engish version of ctrip, so those hotels which are not cleared to take foreigners (or don't want to bother taking them), are probably filtered out in it.

My wife once booked a hotel in Chongqing close to the airport with both of our names (me having a foreign name). The online booking was accepted, but when we showed up they said no foreigners.

I always feel safer to book in advance when travelling alone, just to have a confirmed address to go to and being able to plan ahead how to get there.

Haali, yes if we consider simply the progressive tax system you are right.

But the high income taxation is largely offset with tax-free allowances for housing, meals, and the other categories of allowed benefits. Tey earn so much, that they and their employers have the motivation to seek and apply any possible percentage they can squeeze.

For those high income exapts who come here for few years to work, they can cover much of daily lives with tax-free benefits and then take most of the remainder home with them, instead of spending it here.

Regarding regional difference in average income, the article also mentioned that foreigners who work in more remote provinces would automatically get bonus points, so that would probably offset their lower income to some degree.

China faces the same demographic problems as any countries, and the size makes it a huge problem. There will be increased demand for tax paying C class workers in future too.

Besides, if you have a choice of thousand low-qualified foreigners working on 3000 RMB a month and paying taxes for that, or instead just 10 high-qualified scientists working for 30000 RMB a month, the latter will contribute less to local economy, and local contributions to local economy is what China needs.

But generally I think that this is just an attempt to streamline a complicated system and eventually reduce bureaucracy.

Stray bullets are of course inevitable.