The Issue of Land in China’s Transition and Urbanization

The paper first discusses the role of land as a key policy instrument employed by Chinese local governments and the impacts of “land finance” in shaping China’s growth pattern and urban development. This is followed by an analysis of the main challenges in the country’s land requisition system, rural collective construction land system as well as agricultural land tenure system. Finally, a coordinated policy reform package is proposed to address these challenges.

Keywords: People’s Republic of China, Development, Economic Development, Land Use, Land Regulation, Local Government, Public Policy, Urban, Urban Development, Tenure