Economist urges end to urban-rural dualism in China
- By Chen Boyuan
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 21, 2013
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| "Villagers and townspeople both felt life in the countryside was little different from that in the city; and so was their household income. Changes are taking place without massive relocation," said Li. [Photo / Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn] |
Gongcheng Yao-ethnic group Autonomous County in Guilin of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as well as several counties in Zhejiang Province -- has reportedly taken the lead in this regard. Rural industries, such as fruit processing, meat production, forage production, develop well in these places.
"Villagers and townspeople both felt life in the countryside was little different from that in the city; and so was their household income. Changes are taking place without massive relocation," said Li, recounting his Zhejiang field research in late 2012.
High housing prices are yet another major obstacle in China's urbanization. Li said an insufficient supply was the primary reason; land-transfer auctions held by local governments too were a driving factor in the constant rise of housing prices.
The solution, according to Li, could follow the example of government procurements, in which the government states its demands and specifications for a property project and "grants the bid to whoever offers the lowest price."
"With confirmed housing specifications, developers have to compete in offering the lowest price per square meter to win the bid. Bid winners who fail to meet the target will be fined or disqualified from future biddings," Li said.
As far as issues on containing the fast property rise in major cities went, Li said the government's administrative regulations should limit people's speculative actions -- such as reselling houses shortly after purchasing them -- instead of limiting people from buying them. He explained speculation was in fact the main factor propelling the property market into overdrive.
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