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land reform

Pushing for Privatization

Posted on April 6, 2008 by Amy VanderZanden
Topics: Agriculture
Countries: China
Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps
Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps

Chinese farmers are increasingly demanding the right to do what they want with their land, fed up with the local and regional leaders who have been benefiting from in the face of China’s constitutional principle of collective land ownership.

Area chiefs have begun selling collectively owned land to property developers with the hope that it will encourage economic growth. Unfortunately, profits from the sales often remain in the hands of the officials – farmers are losing their land, and getting nothing in return. Deciding to take action in this matter, farmers are calling for privatization of land throughout the country. Some farmers are even forcibly reclaiming thousands of acres of land.

The Council on Foreign Relations' Jayshree Bajoria offers a comprehensive roundup of news items on the issue.

Keywords: land reform

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Surplus Rice in Japan 'Could End Rice Crisis'

OneWorld Daily Headlines - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 07:44
Selling excess rice held in Japan and imported from the United States would incite a rapid drop in the global price of rice but requires immediate action from Tokyo and Washington, write former editor of The Rice Trader, Tom Slayton, and policy analyst, Peter Timmer.

Half in Ten

OneWorld Daily Headlines - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 07:44
Four prominent American social justice groups are launching a campaign to halve poverty in the United States in 10 years.

Myanmar Farmers May Miss Harvest

New York Times - Thu, 05/15/2008 - 21:34
The timing of Cyclone Nargis, which disrupted farmers as they were preparing to plant, could not have been worse.

In Departure, China Invites Outside Help

New York Times - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 02:59
China sought experts and equipment from Japan and Taiwan as President Hu Jintao visited the area affected by the earthquake.

The Caucus: Edwards to Endorse Obama

New York Times - Wed, 05/14/2008 - 15:38
The Obama campaign is hoping that John Edwards’s endorsement will be taken as the start of a coalescence around Mr. Obama as the nominee.

See all Breaking News >

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