Topic 1:

The Economist Intelligence Unit last week released a half-year survey of the most liveable cities worldwide. Unexpectedly, Beijing ranks 72nd among the 140 most livable cities across the globe - the first among all listed Chinese cities - leaving Dalian, in Liaoning province, Shenzhen, in Guangdong province, and Shanghai behind it. In local residents' opinions, Beijing struggles with high housing prices, terrible traffic congestion and heavy pollution. The survey involved many factors, including the crime rate, natural environment, medical and education services, politics and social stability. The findings have attracted much online debate.

MENGYINMAGGIE: Beijing has the best education and medical resources.

SUNNYXINQINGXIAOYU: Is this survey reliable? Where did they get the statistics?

LAOTANG88: If this is the most livable city in China, then you can imagine how miserable it is to live in other cities that are not that 'livable'.

LIANLIANHUAWATERLILY: Only people who have lived in Beijing know whether it is a livable city. Beijing has abundant resources and conveniences, which surely makes it a livable city.

Topic 2:

With the approach of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, many companies have given moon cakes to staff members as a traditional gift. However, many employees are unhappy because the moon cakes are taxable as part of their in-kind income, according to the country's personal income tax law. The so-called moon cake tax has aroused heated discussion on Sina Weibo.

SAYYID: I'd like to know whether the moon cakes bought by me as a gift to friends are taxable or not.

BEIJINGLAOBINGXINZHUAN: Mid-Autumn Festival should be a happy festival when family members get together to enjoy, but the moon cake tax has dampened people's enjoyment of it.

LONDON PIG IN BEIJING: I have already suggested to my company that moon cakes should not be given to employees as a gift for the Mid-Autumn Festival any more.

HULIELIEGESHA: The moon cake tax hurts all Chinese people's feelings.