(ECNS) -- Beijing and Tianjin have linked up their previously separated tax refund systems for overseas tourists amid efforts of integrated development, Beijing News reports.
Foreign tourists who spend money in Tianjin or Beijing will be able to claim a tax rebate in any of the two cities thanks to the connected data exchange, according to the new policy.
Beijing started to offer tax refunds on purchases made by overseas visitors starting July 1, 2015 to bolster tourism. The minimum purchase to obtain a tax refund is 500 yuan ($76) at any one store in a day.
Tourists from overseas, as well as those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have lived on the Chinese mainland for no more than 183 days, will be eligible for an 11 percent rebate on consumer goods bought at designated stores.
By June 15, Beijing had over 407 qualified stores located in scenic areas, shopping malls and business districts, while neighboring Tianjin had 34.
Besides, China has set goals for coordinated development in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province to address challenges such as pollution and industrial upgrading.
