Social psychology professor Huang Han, left, and writer Le Jia, appear as guest hosts one of China’s most popular dating shows If You Are the One (feichengwurao in Chinese).[Photo/CFP]

Guest hosts banned from TV shows

Guests appearing on TV programs are no longer allowed to be employed as presenters, according to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

TV shows, including news, commentary and interview panels may not hire guests in the role of supporting host, said the administration.

Stations have previously used actors, actresses and celebrities as guest hosts, especially for popular reality shows, which could result in unscripted remarks or mistakes during live broadcasts.

All hosts must have vocational qualifications and an inspection is to be launched to check their credentials.

Entry permit requirement for Taiwan residents removed

The Chinese mainland has removed entry permit requirements for Taiwan residents. With the revision, they will need a travel pass but do not have to apply for a visa-like permit for every visit.

The revision also eases requirements for documents needed when Taiwan residents apply for the pass.

Beijing, Shanghai launch tax refund scheme

Overseas visitors can claim tax refunds on purchases made in Beijing and Shanghai, in a move to boost tourism and consumption.

Foreign tourists and those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who stay in the Chinese mainland for no more than 183 days can receive a rebate of 11 percent on goods bought at designated department stores, according to a Ministry of Finance statement.

Minimum purchase for a tax refund is 500 yuan (about $82) at any one store in one day. The refund will be paid in renminbi in cash or transferred to the buyer's bank account.

Infant formula packaging to be standardized

Foreign infant formula without labels or instructions in Chinese cannot be imported to China, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

It said producers of special dietary products should clarify how to consume them and the correct amount for daily use to guide consumer use.

The commission also said the products must not claim preventative or curative qualities if such effects are not proven.

Whistleblowers can report fakes

Customers can now report suspicious counterfeit products bought online to intellectual property offices at all levels. If goods are confirmed to be fake or copied, online sellers will be made to discontinue them.

Three areas set unified integration standards

Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have adopted unified standards for electronic toll collection and nursing services for the elderly, the first of their kind as part of the region's integration in social and economic development.