Housing policy to continue

Government rebuffs calls to end restrictions on home purchases

BEIJING - Beijing pledged to restrict property purchases and build more government subsidized housing this year to continue to cool the property market, the city's mayor said on Thursday.

Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong's remarks at the opening ceremony of the annual plenary session of Beijing Municipal People's Congress were in response to public calls for the city to partially lift a ban on home purchases by Beijing residents who lack a hukou, a permanent residence permit for the city.