Protesters in France denounce spending cuts, call for equality on taxes

Public fury has been surging in France as tens of thousands march against spending cuts and for tax fairness, with frustrations fueled by political chaos and budget talks.

The demonstrators demanded more financial support from the government in education funding, student living conditions and social security services.

In July, then French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou introduced a spending cut plan, including the scrapping of two public holidays and cutting of health insurance spending. The proposal met fierce resistance in parliament and among the public.

"I have absolutely no confidence in what he might propose for the future. We already have a date set for next week, October 9, for a large national rally at the Ministry of Health, precisely to fight against austerity measures," said Sophie, nurse and the secretary of the General Confederation of Labour (France).

According to sources close to the prime minister, nothing regarding the budget has been decided yet -- but there will have to be major cuts to deal with the country's ballooning inflation.

"I think it's too short to say 'tax the rich', it is 'tax the rich as you tax the other part of the population -- not more, not less.' Just the equality for the taxes, it is in the French constitution, but it's not the case," said Renard, a rail ticket inspector in France.

Thousands of police officers were deployed across the country for Thursday's protest, with many of those in Paris.

According to figures from France's Interior Ministry, about 195,000 people joined the demonstrations nationwide, including around 24,000 in Paris alone.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday officially launched the operations of its regional center in Shanghai, China, headed by Johannes Wiegand, an IMF economist, as the director.

As one of the regional centers set up by the IMF worldwide, the IMF Shanghai Center is expected to enhance the IMF's engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, according to a statement from the IMF.

The center will serve as a hub to promote research and knowledge sharing that can inform policies in areas of relevance for emerging market and middle-income countries, said the statement.

It also aims at deepening dialogue and outreach with member countries, regional institutions, and other stakeholders in the region, according to the statement.