Guideline focuses on boosting economy

The National Development and Reform Commission released a guideline covering luxury and property tax, as well as other sectors of the economy.

The guideline, issued on Friday, also promotes energy-saving measures and green development.

The commission vowed that excessive energy consuming products "will be subject to taxation".

Some items previously categorized as luxury goods will be eliminated from the bracket, said Kong Jingyuan, director-general of the department of comprehensive reform under the commission.

The guideline said the property tax pilot program, currently in operation in Shanghai and Chongqing, will be expanded to more regions. Kong said authorities are currently studying detailed plans for the expansion.

A detailed development plan for the urbanization strategy will be formulated, the guideline said.

Lian Qihua, deputy director-general of the department of comprehensive reform, said the plan will be published "within this year", and a working conference for urbanization will also be held within the year.

Lian denied an earlier report that the urbanization plan was rejected by top decision makers due to concerns over further expansion of local government debt.