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China approves seizure of private homes   Send a link to a friend

[August 31, 2007]  BEIJING  (AP) -- China's top legislature has adopted a measure allowing the government to seize private homes on state-owned land, as long as owners are compensated and properly resettled, state media reported Thursday.

Government seizure of private property has been a controversial issue as China prepares to host the Beijing Olympics next year. Some activists has accused Beijing of forcing more than 1 million people from their homes to make way for new sports venues.

China has said 6,037 homes have been demolished since 2002 to make way for nine venues, with the families compensated and properly resettled.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress amended a real estate management law Thursday to permit expropriation for public interests, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The new clause also calls for compensation for owners and says living conditions after resettlement must be guaranteed.

There is currently no law defining the rights and procedures for expropriation of private real estate, Xinhua said. The property law goes into effect on Oct. 1.

[Associated Press]

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