Led by the Ministry of Construction, the high-level agencies will jointly launch a yearlong campaign targeting irregularities and illegal activities in real estate deals, leaving no part of a transaction unexposed, from the land approval process to home sales.

"We must bear in mind that the disorder in the real estate market remains unresolved illegal activities like influence-peddling and commercial bribery are still rampant in some places," Vice-Minister of Construction Qi Ji told a televised meeting on Friday.

Qi said corruption was evident from the planning and land-approval stage through to sales and property transfers.

The campaign will keep a close watch on local-level government departments in charge of land approvals, developers and real estate intermediaries in the property market.

People caught engaging in illegal activities will be punished severely, Qi said.

Qi also ordered local construction departments to adhere to regulations requiring developers to set aside at least 70 percent of their development projects for new houses measuring 90 sq m or less, a move apparently aimed at ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing.

The authorities have banned the spread of luxurious projects like villas and golf courses to preserve the diminishing supply of arable land.

Yuan Xiaosu, vice-minister of land and resources, said the ministry would take the opportunity to stamp out illegal land acquisitions and adjust the supply of land to favor affordable and low-rent housing subsidized by the governments at all levels.

Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said soaring housing prices are a leading concern.

NDRC statistics show housing prices in Shenzhen and Dalian saw double-digit growth last year.

Housing prices in Beijing posted a year-on-year growth of 9.6 percent last year.