On May 9, 2016, officials from the Ministry of Land and Resources explanained its thirteenth five-year plan, which was recently released. The plan covered the period from 2016 to 2020.
Although the second national land survey showed that farmland has increased overall, some areas may not be used for farming and will be degraded into forests. Other problems include a serious shortage of reserve resources and mounting pressure on farmland due to disasters and construction. China must ensure it has no less than 18.65 million mu of arable land for steady farming.
In regulating land use, consistent with the capacity reduction requirement, the supply of land for the production of iron and steel, coal and other industries with excess capacity and "zombie companies" will be strictly controlled. Policies will be developed to encourage and support exit, conversion, and mergers and acquisitions.
For cities with a higher real estate inventory, the supply of land for housing will be reduced and ultimately eliminated. Where any construction has not yet started, the use of the land will be allowed to change to the construction of resettlement housing and apartments for rent.
Source: People’s Daily, May 9, 2016
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0508/c1001-28332853.html