ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the dual structure of landownership rights under China’s socialist market economy and the historical development of the land expropriation system. Reforms in the land and housing systems were very important in the process of the “reform and opening-up” national policy since 1979. The ‘82 Constitution stipulates that the state may requisition land in accordance with the law in public interest. During the planned economy era, urban state-owned land could be used free of charge. At the end of the 1980s, a fee-based system for land use was established and large-scale urban construction began based on it. Dual land expropriation systems were still significantly influenced by the planned economy. The planned economy era was drawing to a close and the transition to a socialist market economy began. The exercise of expropriation was also related to government finance. Land expropriation can be either planned or conducted in isolation.
