NPC deputies talk housing prices

We've heard CPPCC members' opinions on surging housing prices in our recent news. The issue has also sparked wide discussion among NPC deputies during their group meetings. Here's what some deputies have to say.

Xu Zheng, NPC Deputy, President of Shanghai Construction Group, said, "Everyone is now concerned with the property market. Skyrocketing prices have caused many complaints among residents. I do think prices are too high."

Gu Yidong, NPC Deputy, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said, "Housing prices in medium - and large-sized cities saw a large rise last year. I think the property sector should not only be commercial but also cover social benefits."

Wang Zhengwei, NPC Deputy, Chairman, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, said, "The average house price in Ningxia is about 3000 yuan per square meter while that of economy housing in Beijing is up to 6000 yuan. I don't think residents can afford it. In reaction, the state has introduced several measures. The first is to boost the availability of affordable rental housing. The second is to set price limits for commercial properties. Now the state is also considering putting tax on luxury housing. Our autonomous region has applied to be an experimental zone. We hope all the measures will bring down prices."

Liu Shulin, NPC Deputy, General Manager, Shanxi Economic & Technical Copperation Corp., said, Cooperation "The state council issued a raft of 11 policies regarding the property market at the beginning of the year. It said that the land grant fee which used to be paid by developers should now be paid by property owners. That generates a stable revenue for local governments and benefits economic development."