Top political advisor stresses developing housing rental market

BEIJING -- China's top political advisor, Wang Yang, on Thursday stressed developing the housing rental market.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks at a teleconference of political advisors.

He emphasized promoting a housing system that ensures supply through multiple sources and encourages both housing purchasing and renting.

Twelve attendees, including 11 political advisors, expressed their opinions on the matter on-site or via video links. They made positive comments on the government's work on encouraging both housing purchasing and renting, which led to steady development in the housing rental market.

They also pointed out problems such as expensive housing rental and irregularities in the market.

The advisors suggested that city planners should adjust housing plans to the changes of a city's demographic structure and market demand, build more rental houses, develop housing rental enterprises, and beef up financial support in this regard.

Officials from relevant departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, exchanged opinions during the teleconference.