This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6429317.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
China announces new property law | China announces new property law |
(1 day later) | |
China has unveiled a landmark law that will boost the protection of private property rights. | China has unveiled a landmark law that will boost the protection of private property rights. |
This is the first piece of legislation in the Communist country to cover an individual's right to own assets. | This is the first piece of legislation in the Communist country to cover an individual's right to own assets. |
Analysts say the move is an important step away from Chinese egalitarianism and towards a market economy. | Analysts say the move is an important step away from Chinese egalitarianism and towards a market economy. |
The bill will also reportedly boost protection against land seizures, which have become a major source of unrest among farmers in rural areas. | The bill will also reportedly boost protection against land seizures, which have become a major source of unrest among farmers in rural areas. |
'Effective protection' | 'Effective protection' |
Introducing the law to the annual session of China's legislature - the National People's Congress (NPC) - Deputy Chairman Wang Zhaoguo said the country's economic and social changes made the proposed legislation necessary. | Introducing the law to the annual session of China's legislature - the National People's Congress (NPC) - Deputy Chairman Wang Zhaoguo said the country's economic and social changes made the proposed legislation necessary. |
It will help "safeguard the immediate interests of the people", he told reporters. | It will help "safeguard the immediate interests of the people", he told reporters. |
Long road to property bill | |
With the economy becoming increasingly dependent on private investment, China's people "urgently require effective protection of their own lawful property accumulated through hard work," he said. | With the economy becoming increasingly dependent on private investment, China's people "urgently require effective protection of their own lawful property accumulated through hard work," he said. |
China's leaders have been struggling for decades to enact a law to cover private assets. | China's leaders have been struggling for decades to enact a law to cover private assets. |
A similar bill was taken off parliament's agenda last year, after critics warned that it would worsen social inequalities and promote the sell-off of state assets by unscrupulous officials. | A similar bill was taken off parliament's agenda last year, after critics warned that it would worsen social inequalities and promote the sell-off of state assets by unscrupulous officials. |
Others feared it would erode China's socialist principles. | Others feared it would erode China's socialist principles. |
The latest text of the bills states that: "The property of the state, the collective, the individual and other obligees is protected by law, and no units or individuals may infringe upon it." | The latest text of the bills states that: "The property of the state, the collective, the individual and other obligees is protected by law, and no units or individuals may infringe upon it." |
But it adds that: "The nation is in the first stage of socialism and should stick to the basic economic system in which public ownership predominates, co-existing with other kinds of ownership." | But it adds that: "The nation is in the first stage of socialism and should stick to the basic economic system in which public ownership predominates, co-existing with other kinds of ownership." |
The bills also seeks to address the, often illegal, land seizures that are taking place, and the government transfer of farmland to developers, frequently without farmers being given adequate compensation. | The bills also seeks to address the, often illegal, land seizures that are taking place, and the government transfer of farmland to developers, frequently without farmers being given adequate compensation. |
The problem is a common cause of unrest in the countryside. | The problem is a common cause of unrest in the countryside. |
The bill is set to pass next week at the close of the NPC session, which mainly serves as a rubber stamp to endorse the policies of the ruling Communist Party. | The bill is set to pass next week at the close of the NPC session, which mainly serves as a rubber stamp to endorse the policies of the ruling Communist Party. |
Previous version
1
Next version