CHINA’S CURB LAND GRAB

CHINA’S NEW CODE AIMS TO CURB LAND GRAB

Millions of hectares of rural land were taken away from farmers in the past three decades and given to developers as China raced to urbanise, often with little or no compensation in return

Land disputes trigger half of an estimated 1, 00,000 social protest in China every year, making them the second leading cause for public unrest after labour disputes

China’s first ever civil code approved by Parliament focuses on giving judges greater independence and curbing the influence of local officials, but the judiciary is still ultimately answerable to the Communist Party

The guidelines have narrowed the interpretation of “public interest” to prevent abusive land grabs

It does not stipulate any punishments for those illegally expropriating land or the rights of individual farmers to collective land, making it harder for families to seek compensation

In China, lands can only be owned by the state or collective organisations

Private individuals or businesses can only buy the right to use land for up to 70 years

The civil code – for the first time – clarifies what will happen once a home owner’s 70 – year usage rights expire

The law affirms that land – use rights for residential homes will be automatically renewed after expiration but does not say whether owners need to pay for renewals