December 04, 2008

32% urban construction applications rejected in China

It is reported that the China State Council has rejected almost 32% of the urban construction applications for 2007 amid efforts to curb the growth of energy intensive, polluting industries.

The Ministry of Land and Resources said the rejections covered 31.81% of the land area filed for approvals by cities nationwide this year. It did not give any further breakdown. It said that of projects approved, 39.14% of the land involved was for housing, 24.56% for infrastructure 18.23% for public buildings and 17.34 for industrial facilities such as factories and warehouses.

The Ministry urged local authorities to compensate farmers in a timely manner and maintain their living standards at levels no lower than before any land acquisition. It also called on local governments to rein in land approvals for any projects involving polluting, energy intensive and resources industries.

The rejection of such applications has slowed the decline in farmlands, which have been shrinking in many regions due to urbanization.