CNR News:

Significant changes are taking place in not only urban but also rural development. How will the MOHURD advance the building of beautiful countryside and retain our cultural roots? Moreover, what measures will be taken next to promote rural revitalization? Thank you.

Li Xiaolong:

Thank you for your questions. The idea that the development of beautiful countryside should enable people to enjoy the beautiful scenery and retain their cultural roots has been ingrained into people's minds. Beautiful villages have also become places where people living in cities would most like to bring their elderly and children to visit during holidays or to take photos for social media.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the MOHURD has conscientiously studied and implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches and instructions on rural development and stepped up rural development to build a beautiful and livable countryside. Rural areas have taken on a new look.

First, we have improved the management over the construction of rural houses and villages. We have provided design support to countryside construction and strengthened the training of rural constructors to improve rural development. We have promoted the modernization of rural housing and villages, enhanced the design and construction level of rural housing, strengthened the development of village infrastructure and public service supporting facilities, protected the natural and cultural environment, and greatly enhanced the housing conditions of rural residents. These efforts have given rise to a number of picturesque villages with distinctive features. 

Second, breakthroughs have been made in treating household waste in rural areas. We have guided all localities to coordinate the development of waste treating facilities and services at the county, township and village levels. The domestic waste collection, transporting and treating service has covered more than 90% of villages, an increase of 60 percentage points compared with 2012. The task of improving 24,000 undesignated refuse dumping points has been completed, and nearly 1 billion cubic meters of various types of garbage left untreated for long have been adequately addressed.

Third, the protection of traditional villages has continued to improve. We have organized and implemented programs to protect traditional Chinese villages, and 6,819 villages were included in the "List of Chinese Traditional Villages for Protection." We have carried out demonstrative projects for contiguous protection and utilization of traditional Chinese villages. 520,000 historical buildings and traditional dwellings and 3,380 intangible cultural heritage items at and above the provincial level have been protected and inherited, forming the world's largest protection group of agricultural civilization heritage.

Fourth, the evaluation mechanism for rural development has been continuously improved. We have established and enhanced the evaluation mechanism for rural development and built an index system to evaluate rural development, rural housing construction, village construction and county seat construction among other aspects. In 28 provinces across the country, 117 sample counties were evaluated, shedding light on the status and performance of rural development nationwide as well as the significant problems and shortcomings. The findings serve as important references for scientifically promoting rural development.

In the next step, we will continue to advance poverty alleviation to help achieve rural revitalization, and promote the beautiful countryside initiative to continuously yield new results. First, we will implement projects to improve the quality and safety of rural housing by enhancing the design and construction level. We will improve rural houses' functions and supporting facilities and continuously improve rural residents' housing and living conditions. Second, we will guide all localities to further improve the system for the collection, transport and treatment of domestic waste, improve the governance level, and continue to improve rural living environments. Third, we will increase the protection and utilization of traditional Chinese villages. Fourth, we will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of rural development. Fifth, we will further mobilize and stimulate people's enthusiasm and initiative to participate in rural development and ensure rural people can share the fruits of rural development. Thank you.

Southern Metropolis Daily:

In the past decade, real estate has been closely related to the vital interests of ordinary people and the country's economic and social development. The rapid development of real estate has also played a significant role in improving people's housing conditions. What measures has the MOHURD taken in this regard? As we move forward, is there anything else under consideration when promoting a stable and healthy housing market, especially regarding the delivery of houses to their purchasers? Thank you.

Jiang Wanrong:

Everyone has personal experiences with real estate, so please let me invite Mr. Wang Shengjun to give you an introduction to this issue.

Wang Shengjun:

Thanks for your question. Real estate is of great interest to everyone, so let me introduce the details.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee, with great care for the people's wellbeing, has proposed the principle that houses are for living in, not for speculation, and made comprehensive plans to meet the housing needs of all Chinese people as a major task. The housing system to ensure supply through multiple sources, provide housing support through multiple channels, and encourage both housing purchase and renting has been gradually improved. "Houses are for living in, not for speculation" has become a public consensus. 

As Mr. Jiang Wanrong said, with the rapid development of real estate, our market order has been constantly regulated. Over the past ten years, we have worked closely with all relevant departments to resolutely implement the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The focus of real estate development has always been on ensuring people's wellbeing. We have implemented in steps long-term mechanisms to stabilize land prices, housing prices, and expectations, and take city-specific policies to promote the steady and healthy development of the real estate market. There are mainly the following aspects.

First, we have established a policy coordination mechanism. We have kept real estate policies continuous and stable, making them more coordinated and well-targeted. We have supported people's demand for housing and improved housing by reining in speculative investment in the housing market. We have also enhanced the land supply management for residential use, established a joint mechanism for housing and land supply, and improved macro-prudential management of real estate financing to promote a sound circle between real estate and finance.

Second, we have established a mechanism that links the ministry with provinces and cities. Considering real estate market law, the ministry and provincial and municipal governments have coordinated efforts to strengthen the primary responsibility of municipal government and the supervision and guiding responsibility of provincial governments. We have adopted city-specific measures and made full use of tools for regulation to enhance guidance and supervision over city-specific measures.

Third, we have improved the monitoring, early warning, evaluation and assessment mechanism. We have established a sound information system for the real estate market and a monitoring system to carry out monthly monitoring, quarterly evaluation and annual evaluation regularly. For cities where the housing prices exceed the target of regulation, we urge municipal governments to take effective measures to stabilize the market by issuing letters of warning and conducting inquiries, research and supervision.

Fourth, we have enhanced supervision over the real estate market. The ministry and related departments have jointly launched a three-year campaign to ensure the order of the real estate market. We have done this by rectifying violations of laws and regulations in real estate development, housing sales, housing rental and property services, and strengthening supervision of pre-sale funds for commercial housing following the principle of "getting them under control instead of over control." We take it as the primary goal to ensure home delivery, meet living needs, maintain stability, and prevent and defuse market risks in accordance with the law- and market-based principles to protect the legitimate rights and interests of homebuyers and maintain overall social stability.

Real estate involves living needs and development as well. The ministry and related departments will continue to take concrete steps to promote the steady and sound development of the real estate market. First, we adhere to the policy that homes are for living in, not for speculation; this is the fundamental principle for real estate regulation. Second, we will improve the housing market and support systems, both of which are indispensable. Third, we will increase efforts to stabilize land prices, housing prices and expectations. Fourth, we will improve the mechanism for coordinating the elements of people, homes, land and funds by determining housing prices based on the population and estimating land supply and funds based on homes.

Regarding home delivery, the ministry, together with the Ministry of Finance and the People's Bank of China, issued special measures last month to support cities in need. We utilized special loans from policy banks to boost the construction and delivery of housing projects that have been sold and have difficulties delivering on time. At present, work in this regard is getting underway in an orderly manner. Thank you.