China to raise land use efficiency in rural areas: ministry

China has said it will raise the use efficiency of residential land and idle houses in rural areas, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

According to the document, local governments are encouraged to develop new industries tailored to their conditions, including leisure agriculture, rural tourism and e-commerce, and integrated projects in first, second and tertiary industries by utilizing rural idle houses.

On the premise of fully safeguarding homestead properties, rural collective economic organizations and their members are allowed to make full use of rural idle homesteads and houses by means of self-operation, leasing and pooling land as shares, the document noted.

The notice also encourages rewards and subsidies in revitalizing the use of rural idle homestead and houses. Once mature, local government special bonds could be issued to support such projects.

When pushing forward the implementation of the policies, local governments are required to strengthen the management of rural homesteads.

Illegally selling and buying rural residential land and turning rural homesteads into villas and private guild halls is severely prohibited, said the notice.