Today in China

Starting on April 1, a 5% tax will be imposed on disposable wooden chopsticks (筷子, kuàizi). The Chinese government wants to reduce the huge amount of timber used for producing the annual 10 billions of boxes of chopsticks for the domestic market and 6 billions of boxes for the export. This represents more 1.3 million cubic meters!

But is 5% enough?

This new tax is arriving together with some other taxes related to wooden floor panel (5%), yachts, golf clubs and balls (10%) and luxury watches (20%).

Are the 50RMB fake rollex also taxable? ‘_^

Let’s go back to chopsticks with two quite interesting related websites…

Erik Wegweiser collects chopsticks as a hobby. His chopsticks are often handmade, of unusual material or design, and represent various world cultures and artists. He has more than 300. Why did he start to collect chopsticks? Well, here is his answer: “They’re not Pokemon, Beanie Babies, etc., and the mere fact that you can’t buy them at the corner gas station along with prepaid phone cards or get them free with your hamburger is enough to make finding them half the fun.” ^_^

Then, because wooden chopsticks do not damage the aluminum skin like regular tools, a guy at PCOnline is using them to dismantle a Mac Mini! Have a look at his report, especially if you are learning Chinese as it is both in English and Chinese Mandarin on the same page!

Source
China Daily - March 22, 2006

Links
How to unpack a Mac Mini with a pair of disposable chopsticks
Erik’s Chopsticks Collection