China Birth Rate – Charm

An image of an AI companion with purple hair holding a black cat.

China cracks down on AI companions, forcing millions to break up with virtual partners

1 month ago09 mins

Seventeen-year-old Xiaoxue describes her boyfriend Xiaojun as a “sweet guy”. The pair spend hours each day talking about schoolwork, interactions with friends, and how she is feeling. And importantly, she trusts Xiaojun not to cheat on her — as an ex-boyfriend did. But Xiaojun is not human — he is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) companion…

Under the newly revised Value-Added Tax Law, consumers will pay a 13% levy on items that had been VAT-exempt since 1993, when China enforced a strict one-child policy and actively promoted birth control. (Photo for representation)(Unsplash)

China is imposing tax on condoms, other contraceptive drugs to boost birth rates

9 months ago06 mins

China will impose a value-added tax on contraceptive drugs and devices — including condoms — for the first time in three decades, its latest bid to reverse plunging birth rates that threaten to further slow its economy. Under the newly revised Value-Added Tax Law, consumers will pay a 13% levy on items that had been…