Header image

Solving Racial Inequality and Achieving Tax Fairness: The Case of the Kulangsu International Settlement in China

Tracks
Crystal 1
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
11:00 AM - 11:25 AM

Presenter

Dr Feng Xiong
Associate Professor
Accounting Department, Xiamen University

Solving Racial Inequality and Achieving Tax Fairness: The Case of the Kulangsu International Settlement in China

Abstract

Purpose:
This study explores the process of how Chinese civilians/taxpayers in the Kulangsu International Settlement in China fought for their governing rights to address the challenges of inequality following the 'no taxation without representation' principle.

Design/methodology/approach:
This study reviews historical materials to demonstrate the foundation of reforms and discusses the steps taken by Chinese civilians/taxpayers to reform the municipality of Kulangsu, solve racial inequality, and achieve tax fairness.

Findings:
This study illustrates the shift in tax revenue contributions between foreigners and Chinese. When the Chinese paid more tax, they adopted the 'no taxation without representation' principle as a valid tool to argue for more governing rights and representation to fight for equality. Once a balance of power within the municipal council was achieved, challenges such as freshwater supply and quality education could also be solved. In addition, the Chinese set up a widely representative council through public elections to ensure that the policies and ways tax money was spent served the interests of the majority.

Originality/value:
Focusing on the intersection between colonial and tax history, this study
examines Kulangsu, investigating how underrepresented groups living under 'indirect governance' in a colonial international settlement fought for representation and governing powers. This study also reflects on means of addressing current issues related to tax fairness and democratic inequality"

Biography

Xiong Feng, Associate Professor of the Department of accounting, School of management, Xiamen University. I received Doctoral degree from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia (major in Accounting), Bachelor degree from the University of Queensland, Australia (major in Accounting and Finance). Since November 2016, I joined Xiamen University, entered the Foreign Youth Talent Program (national and provincial), and participated in a number of national, provincial and ministerial scientific research projects. In terms of teaching, I teach undergraduate and graduate courses such as (intermediate) financial accounting, management accounting and big data audit. I lead a school-level first-class undergraduate course construction (Western Financial Accounting) and a school-level education and teaching reform research project (Big Data Audit). In terms of scientific research, my main research fields are accounting (AUDIT) research, enterprise information disclosure, government procurement and new economic model from the perspective of new technologies (big data, machine learning, blockchain, etc.). The research topics of my published papers include but are not limited to machine learning methods to predict corporate fraud (Journal of Business Ethics), corporate internal communication quality and cash holdings (Accounting and Finance), and the corporate use of social media for corporate disclosure (and its legal applications) (Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, Business Horizons, Australian Journal of corporate law). In terms of social services, I participated in the evaluation and research of doing business environment at the provincial and municipal levels. Combined with theoretical knowledge such as government performance management, I investigate the construction of evaluation indicators such as government procurement and tax services, and write consultative reports such as government procurement reform countermeasures.

Chair

Agenda Item Image
Dess Mihret
Associate Professor
RMIT


Discussant

Agenda Item Image
Carolyn Fowler
Associate Professor
Victoria University Of Wellington

loading