China steps up rural reforms

Legal and regulatory reforms are an important part of the progress in the development of rural areas. However, changes to land use regulations are causing some concern.

The government says the country will maintain existing land contract relationships over the long term. But it will work to strengthen supervision measures in the transfer of contracted land-use rights. The government says that the development of large-scale farming operations should be based on legal, voluntary, and compensated transfers. It also wants to improve supporting policies for changes to tenures in collective forests, and introduce reforms for state tree farms. Small rural financial institutions are to be developed, promoting micro-credit loans in rural areas. The government also hopes to develop specialized farming co-operatives and improve the overall organization of agriculture.

CPPCC member Chen Xiwen said, "During the reforms, we must maintain a strict policy of protecting farmland and upholding the basic rural operation system. Recently, some areas have ignored the rules and acted in the opposite way. We must pay great attention to this."

CPPCC member Gao Jinbang said, "Regarding the transfers of collective construction land use rights, we should establish a rational income distribution mechanism. That will ensure the collectives and farmers really benefit from the transfer."