China to launch third national land survey

BEIJING -- China will start its third national land survey this year, according to an official statement Monday.

The survey aims to collect authentic and accurate data on the country's land resources, including acreage, distribution and the condition of different types of land, according to the State Council.

The survey will focus on the condition and changing status of "permanent basic farmland," arable land in the outskirts of urban areas and land used for farming near traffic routes.

Preparation will begin in the fourth quarter, and the survey is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

China's second national land survey was conducted between 2007 and 2009. The country's first national land survey ended in 1996.

According to the second national land survey, China has about 135 million hectares of arable land.