Amend law to prevent forced demolitions

Editor's note: Every person should have the right to accept or reject transferring his/her land-use rights when real estate developers or their agents approach them.

A market has two sides. On the one hand, it promotes innovation, hardwork and the desire to fulfill the needs of the public on a profit basis. On the other, because of the private profit motive it engenders, it creates a desire among people to possess wealth without working, generates hunger for money even if human needs are met, and gives rise to callous disregard for human rights and even life itself.

Both of these aspects can be seen at work in China's real estate market. On the upside, a majority of Chinese people live a better life and enjoy better housing than 20 or 30 years ago. On the downside, China's real estate market has created serious problems for the country.