Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.7, 2014

 

Strict Control and Incentive: Evolution of the Policy of Linking Decrease of Arable Land with Increase of Construction Land and Its Local Implementation

(Abstract)

 

Tan Mingzhi

 

By examining China’s urbanization from the perspective of land policy against the macro political and economic background, we find that, the land, budget and finance “three-in-one” development mode is increasing prevalent. During this process, land is the most pressing issue in local development. The central government carried out a system of strict land control policies centered on protecting arable land; on the other hand, with the rapid industrialization and urbanization, this system encountered numerous difficulties. As a result, opening new land resource had become an urgent need. It was in this context that the policy of linking the increase of construction land the decrease of arable land was put forth. The evolution and local implementation of this policy highlights the changes in the relations between central and local governments and between the state and farmers, showing a complex aspect of relationship between governmental behaviors and the community-level society. From this we can see the opportunities and challenges facing the next round of urbanization in China.