Reining in demolition

A decision to amend the law on the management of urban real estate was adopted at the session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that concluded on Thursday. The decision gave the State Council the mandate to make administrative specifications on the demolition of properties owned by institutions or individuals if the demolition is in the public interest.

The Property Law, which will take effect on October 1, stipulates that collectively-owned land or real estate properties in the possession of institutions or individuals can be acquired for the needs of public interest, but such acquisitions must be conducted within the limit of related judicial stipulations and legal procedures. As a result, the regulations on the management of urban demolition of houses enacted in 1991 will have to be nullified because the old regulations do not comply with the new law.

As a matter of fact, urban demolition has become a sources of public complaint and anti-corruption departments have listed urban construction projects as one of the major areas where corruption involving government officials is most likely to take place.