Government and Policy

China to adopt new house expropriation rules

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-29 03:07

BEIJING: A draft regulation on the expropriation of houses and associated compensation is expected to be made public Friday to solicit comments.

China's Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council is going to release the full text of the draft on its website, www.chinalaw.gov.cn.

The draft spells out the conditions, due process and compensation of expropriation intended for public interest, such as national defense, key national projects of energy, transportation and education.

The draft says local government should ensure that the public opinions be heard by holding public hearings or adopting other opinion soliciting methods.

The draft also provides that compensation to the house owners should not be less than the market price of similar houses.

The draft stresses that no violence, coercion, or other illegal means, such as cutting off the water or power supply of the houses, can be employed in demolition procedures.

Demolition of those dangerous and old buildings that need to be upgraded should not be carried out unless 90 percent of the house owners approve the proposal, the draft says.

The public is invited to comment on the draft regulation any time before February 12 via online postings, email or letters.