A new policy has been issued to allow people including foreigners to purchase courtyards, or Siheyuan, in Beijing.　

Qualified individuals and enterprises now can buy a traditional Chinese courtyard in downtown area, within the second ring road.

Even overseas enterprises and foreigners can be the owner of these historical relics.

What's more, buyers can enjoy a series of preferential tax policies.

The government also entitles people who have bought courtyards to sell, rent, mortagage, and pass them on to successors.

The regulation is part of the city's efforts to call on society to take part in the protection and renovation of the historical and cultural regions of the capital. 

(CRI April 20, 2004)