Deputies' spotlight on housing

Focus on market's healthy long-term development to brighten economic outlook this year

The annual two sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, which ended on Friday, once again focused attention on the direction of the real estate market, particularly the residential segment, a key economic concern.

Although the bullish stock market has stolen realty's thunder of late, industry experts said intense discussions on micro controls, property tax and long-term real estate mechanisms have shifted the economic spotlight back on to property this month.