Illegal land use the norm in China

BEIJING – Nearly 80 per cent of new land projects in some Chinese cities are illegal, the Xinhua news agency said, in a rare acknowledgement of a problem that is engulfing China’s arable land and provoking social unrest.

A survey carried out last year showed that 22 per cent of new land acquisitions in 90 of the country’s main cities were illegal, Xinhua said, citing the Land and Resources Ministry. About half of new projects in these cities used land illegally, and the figure soared to 80 per cent in 17 cities, said Zhang Xinbao, director of the ministry’s supervision bureau.The worst offenders were in central and western China, where the central government is pushing quick development to close the gap with the booming coast.Xinhua did not name the cities.Earlier this year China passed a landmark property rights law after an unusually contentious process, with critics saying the law would enshrine rights to property gained through asset grabs.Nampa-ReutersAbout half of new projects in these cities used land illegally, and the figure soared to 80 per cent in 17 cities, said Zhang Xinbao, director of the ministry’s supervision bureau.The worst offenders were in central and western China, where the central government is pushing quick development to close the gap with the booming coast.Xinhua did not name the cities.Earlier this year China passed a landmark property rights law after an unusually contentious process, with critics saying the law would enshrine rights to property gained through asset grabs.Nampa-Reuters