The alleged tax evasion of actress Fan Bingbing has shaken the entertainment industry. Last Saturday, the three biggest Chinese online video platforms — iQiyi, Tencent Video and Youku Tudou Inc. — and six major TV production companies issued a joint statement, pledging to follow the Chinese authorities’ new “pay restriction order.”
The statement stresses that from now on, an actor would not be permitted to earn more than 1 million yuan (about NT$4.5 million) for each episode of a TV drama. It also promises to promote self-discipline in the fight against illegal activity in the showbiz industry, including tax evasion through the so-called “yin-yang contract:” dual contracts in which one states an actor’s real earnings, and another claims a lower figure to the tax authorities.
Meanwhile, Beijing is set to impose heavy taxes on top entertainers by drastically raising their tax rate from 6.7 to 42 percent. According to Central News Agency, Taiwanese actors Wallace Huo, Eddie Peng, Mark Chao and actress Joe Chen are among the almost 200 A-list stars who are facing a tax inspection.
Photo: EPA
照片:歐新社
(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)
女星范冰冰據傳涉入逃稅醜聞,近來在娛樂圈引發震撼。上週六,中國三大網路影視平台——愛奇藝、騰訊視頻和優酷——及六大影視製作公司發表一份聯合聲明,宣示力挺官方新頒布的「限酬令」。
該聲明強調,今後電視劇每位演員的單集片酬不得超過人民幣一百萬元(約新台幣四百五十萬元),並保證會加強行業自律、打擊演藝圈的不法行為,例如以「陰陽合同」逃漏稅︰也就是訂立兩份合約,一份載明演員的真實收入,另一份少報收入的則呈交稅務機構。
此外,北京將加重大牌藝人的稅率,由原本的百分之六點七,大幅調升至百分之四十二。而根據《中央社》的報導,將近兩百名A咖明星正面臨查稅,包括台灣男星霍建華、彭于晏、趙又廷、女星陳喬恩。
(台北時報張聖恩)
In a remote area of South Australia lies Coober Pedy, a seemingly deserted mining town. But don’t be fooled by its surface appearance — around 60 percent of the town’s population have made their homes underground. The town was first established in the early 20th century, after a teenager found opal gemstones there. This discovery transformed the town into the world’s opal mining center, drawing miners from far and wide. The town’s unique underground community took shape as a response to the harsh climate, where average summer temperatures can soar to 38°C. Using basic mining tools, the residents dug holes
A: Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr this week. B: Wiil there be any celebrations in Taipei? A: Sure, the “2024 Eid al-Fitr in Taipei” is set for this Sunday. B: Where will the event be held? A: It’s going to take place from 11am to 5pm at Daan Park in Taipei. We can go together if you’d like. A: 全球的穆斯林本週正在慶祝「開齋節」! B: 台北市也有慶祝活動嗎? A: 當然啦,「2024尋味台北 齊賀開齋」即將在週日登場。 B: 要去哪裡參加活動啊? A: 活動將從上午11點到下午5點,在大安森林公園舉行,我們一起去吧。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
Everyone has seen a piece of fruit turn brown after being cut. Have you ever wondered why that happens? It is a common phenomenon that occurs due to a chemical reaction called enzymatic browning. The appearance, flavor and nutritional value of the fruit are all affected by this reaction. Some fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, avocados and peaches, are more prone to enzymatic browning than others. These fruits contain high levels of an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, or PPO for short. __1__ This causes a chain of chemical reactions that ultimately transforms the phenolic compounds into
A: As well as Eid al-Fitr, Southeast Asia is celebrating the Water Festival this week. B: And this year, Thailand is expanding the celebration between April 12 and 16 for the event, officially known as the Songkran Festival, expecting to make 24.3 billion Thai baht in tourism revenue. A: Does Taiwan celebrate the Water Festival? B: Some local cities and counties do have similar activities. A: Let’s go experience the festival then. A: 除了「開齋節」外,東南亞「潑水節」本週也盛大登場! B: 泰國今年從4月12日到16日擴大「宋干節」連假,預估觀光收入可高達243億泰銖。 A: 台灣會慶祝「潑水節」嗎? B: 有些縣市會舉辦類似活動。 A: 那我們也去體驗一下吧。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)