The overall scheme for China's second national land survey was
examined and approved at a meeting presided over by Chinese Vice
Premier Zeng Peiyan on Monday.
A prime aim of the land survey is to improve control of land
resources.
The survey "should provide a reliable basis for land control,"
Zeng said at the meeting.
According to Zeng, China conducted its first national land
survey in 1996. Since then, a great deal of changes has taken place
in urban and rural areas, and the data collected 11 years ago is
out of date. New land data is needed to improve control and
safeguard the total area of farmland nationwide at 233.8 million
hectares.
The second national land survey will improve land survey systems
and statistics, and make possible computerized, network-based land
control, Zeng said.
The land survey will take advantage of new technology to ensure
the authenticity and reliability of the data collected, Zeng
added.
The second national land survey will start on July 1 and should
be completed by 2009 as planned. It will cover classification,
demarcation, location, the area and usage of every plot of land in
both urban and rural areas.
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2007)