China strengthens land management to boost domestic demand

         Xu Shaoshi

China's Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) has issued a circular with 10 other authorities to encourage an increase in land use planning and management. This is in step with the government's  measures to stimulate domestic demand.

The circular said that local authorities should protect the arable land and farmers' legitimate interests in handling land use applications for new projects.

Xu Shaoshi, head of the MLR, said the economic crisis has added difficulty to the country's land management work, as the central and local governments' investment programs have demand for more land.

He also said the MLR shouldered a mounting responsibility of combating malpractice in land use.

Chinese government announced a RMB4 trillion ($584 billion) economic stimulus package last month to push forward economic growth and domestic demand.

The fund is to be spent over the next two years to finance programs in 10 major areas, such as low-income housing, rural infrastructure, water, electricity, transport, the environment and technological innovation.
Source: China.com