Realty prices diverge on tighter regulation

BEIJING - With a flurry of recent property market controls, Chinese authorities have demonstrated their will to keep a lid on housing prices, not just in metropolises but also in smaller cities.

Over 40 cities unveiled property market regulations a total of 50 times in May, a monthly record for frequency, according to the latest statistics from Centaline Property, a real estate services provider.

While home prices in the country's top-tier cities remain stable due to tight regulation, the market in smaller cities has showed signs of perking up.