The authorities in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, two of China’s top four mega cities (the other two being Beijing and Shanghai) were given the power to requisition private property when they deemed it necessary to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The standing committee of the People’s Congress in Guangzhou and in Shenzhen made the announcement on February 11, 2020. Both cities are located in southern Guangdong province.
The private property which could be seized, according to decisions of the People’s Congress of each of the two cities, includes houses, facilities, transportation vehicles, and other equipment. Government officials also have the authority to order companies to produce supplies which they think should take priority in containing the spread of the coronavirus.
In 2007, China’s National People’s Congress passed a national law to protect private property. This is the first time local governments cited an emergency clause in the private property law stating that the property of companies and individuals can be requisitioned.
Local authorities have been given the power to quarantine suspected patients and to screen all residents.
1. Excerpt in Chinese:
“四、市、区人民政府可以在必要时依法向单位或者个人临时征用疫情防控所需的房屋、场地、交通工具以及相关设施、设备，要求相关企业组织相应的疫情防控物资和生活必需品的生产、供给。临时征用房屋、场地、交通工具以及相关设施、设备的，应当向被征用的单位或者个人发出应急处置征用令并做好登记造册工作，并依法予以补偿，能返还的，应当及时返还。“
“十九、在本市行政区域内居住、工作、生活、学习、旅游以及从事其他活动的个人，应当增强法治意识，自觉遵守法律法规规定，依法履行下列疫情防控义务：
（一）服从、配合、协助疫情防控的指挥和安排，及时做好健康信息申报，依法接受调查、检验、隔离等防控措施，如实提供有关情况；”
Source: Guangzhou City People’s Congress Website, February 11, 2020
http://www.rd.gz.cn/xwdt/content/post_90126.html
2. Excerpt in Chinese:
“同一日，深圳市第六届人民代表大会常务委员会第三十九次会议通过了《深圳市人民代表大会常务委员会关于依法全力做好当前新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情防控工作切实保障人民群众生命健康安全的决定》。
其中规定，市、区疫情防控指挥机构在必要时可以依法向辖区内单位或者个人征用疫情防控所需设备、设施、场地、交通工具和其他物资，要求相关企业组织相应的疫情防控物资和生活必需品的生产、供给。”
Source: 21 Jingji, February 11, 2020
https://m.21jingji.com/article/20200211/herald/f22062fca7091d2ec06be3347ece37ad.html