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Clarify housing priorities

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-15 09:17

Nevertheless, while applauding the effort to dispel confusion over housing development guidelines, we urge relevant authorities to further clarify their policy priorities concerning housing issues.

On the one hand, the government has regarded the booming property sector as a pillar industry that should be properly tapped to sustain the country's economic growth.

On the other hand, the government also keenly realizes its obligation to address the public's basic housing needs.

Stopping short of direct price controls, construction authorities have refrained from stepping too far into a sector where market rules should be allowed to and will prevail.

The floor space limit might serve as a stopgap measure to increase supply of low-cost homes. But in the long run, it is definitely up to businesses and consumers to decide what kind of homes they will build and what they want to buy. As a market watchdog, the government should focus on guarding against any illegal or unfair commercial practices.

As for providing affordable housing for low-income earners, policy-makers at all levels should redouble their efforts and input of public funds for this purpose. A cap on floor space will not make commercial houses an alternative to cheap social housing the government is supposed to offer low-income families.