Regulation and Policy 

Chinese Government Bans Land Speculation

The State Council General Office recently issued a circular ordering tight controls on land management and a ban on land speculation. The government has exhibited special concern over illegal trading in the use rights of rural land under the pretext for the construction of orchards and tourism venues. 

The circular instructs localities to strengthen controls over urban and rural land used for non-agricultural projects and halt illegal occupancy of lands by non-farming projects. All cities, towns and villages must abide by general land-use guidelines, while all non-farming projects have to use idle lands, according to the circular. The document also calls for strict controls on land used for expressway projects. Farmers are prohibited from selling their houses to urban residents.