The Ministry of Land and Resources urged local governments to further their examination and approval of land for construction to maintain, according to the Ministry's proposals in Beijing Thursday.

This is the central government's clear reply to the question of whether examination and approval of land for construction can be resumed since the land management reforms suspended such work last month.

An official from the Ministry said the goal of improving the mechanism of examination and approval on land of construction is to stop circling land and unlawful use of farmland to reoccur and prevent rebound of investment in fixed assets.

The proposals said local governments with the following four cases still can not examine and approve the new uses of land that are unlawful, exceed quotas, owe payment to farmers, or do not conform to the central government's requirements to protect farmland.

To prevent some people or places from stocking up land, the approving documents are valid for only two years.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2004)