January 23 to 29

January 26 China will expand its rural home-appliance subsidies program to high-end products in the first part of 2010. The types of household appliances covered by subsidies will be raised, as will the upper-limits of the subsidies. Rural residents will have increased access to high-end products such as VRV (Varied Refrigerant Volume) air-conditioners and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) televisions. The move is seen to be in line with the government's policy of stimulating domestic demand.

January 30 A 40-day pilot scheme mandating purchases of train tickets only with a valid citizen ID will begin in southern China during the upcoming Spring Festival travel peak. It will initially be adopted by railway operators in Guangdong Province, the coastal manufacturing center, and Chengdu Province, home to millions of migrant workers who will return for the Chinese Lunar New Year. The Spring Festival falls on February 14 this year. The latest move is a further attempt to reform the transportation pricing system since the banning of seasonal price increases in 2007. Despite anticipated issues arising from a shortage of staff and complicated procedures for ticket exchange or return, the new policy is expected to reduce ticket-scalping.

January 31 The draft version of China's Organic Law of Villagers' Committees will be closed to public opinion. In December 2009, the draft underwent its first review and discussion in sessions held by the 11th National People's Congress Standing Committee, after years of postponement. In the latest draft, the clause allowing courts to deal with disputes in local elections has been deleted. Legislation has been delayed due to problems in the legal assistance system and an absence of implementation procedures.