July 24 (Xinhua) — The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the theme of "Promoting High-Quality Development" on July 24. Han Jun, Party Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stressed at the meeting that it is strictly prohibited to use rural homesteads to build villas and private clubs in the countryside, and strictly prohibited to allocate homesteads for building houses to retired officials and employees returning to their hometowns; the policy bottom line must be upheld.

On July 24, the State Council Information Office of China held a press conference in Beijing on the theme of "Promoting High-Quality Development." Han Jun, Party Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Zhang Xingwang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; and Wang Lejun, Chief Livestock and Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, attended to brief the media and answer questions. Photo by Yang Kejia, China News Service

Han Jun stated that current policy allows exploration of voluntary and compensated withdrawal from farmers' "three rights," but this must be carried out steadily and prudently. Taking the withdrawal of homestead use rights as an example, the overall policy tone is that relevant policies in this area must be introduced steadily and prudently, and must not be pursued as a passing fad or allow a few tens of thousands of yuan to permanently buy out the rights, which may not be worthwhile for farmers' long-term interests. Farmers must always be left with a way out, and their long-term interests must be taken into account.

Han Jun emphasized that the definition of homestead use rights is very clear in law: homestead use rights are rights enjoyed by members of rural collective economic organizations, meaning that persons who are not members of the collective economic organization have no right to obtain them, whether directly or in disguised form. All laws are very clear on this point, and policy requirements are also very explicit. On this point, no openings or flexible workarounds may be created in any form. It is strictly prohibited to use rural homesteads to build villas and private clubs in the countryside, and strictly prohibited to allocate homesteads for building houses to retired officials and employees returning to their hometowns; the policy bottom line must be upheld.

Han Jun stated that the "Decision" of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee makes clear that current policy allows farmers' legally owned housing to be revitalized and utilized through leasing, shareholding, cooperation, and other means. Localities may actively explore this area so that farmers can enjoy more dividends of reform.