Farmers in China have faced forced evictions and illicit land grabs for decades — sources of social unrest that the government is finally trying to address in a major shake-up of its property law. The guidelines have narrowed the interpretation of “public interest” to prevent abusive land grabs. No punishmentBut it does not stipulate any punishments for those illegally expropriating land or the rights of individual farmers to collective land, making it harder for families to seek compensation. In China, land can only be owned by the state or collective organisations. The civil code — for the first time — clarifies what will happen once a home owner’s 70-year usage rights expire.

Source: The Hindu June 06, 2020 16:18 UTC