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submitted 2 weeks ago by yogthos@lemmy.ml to c/china@lemmy.ml
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[-] Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 weeks ago

When the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party nationalized large parts of the land and property across the country. Under Chinese law, the state owns 100% of the land, while dwellers receive some sort of 'lease right' to live on the land. They have what I'd call 'nominal possession' (I don't know whether this is the correct legal term as I am not a legal person, but it means that the land and buildings are owned by the state, while people are given a 'right to live' on the land).

The housing laws and property rights have slightly changed over time in China, particularly in the 1980s when these 'lease rights' (my term) was formalized and registered. Lease rights may run over several decades of what I know from anecdotal evidence, but I haven't seen official data about that.

However, the Chinese state still owns the land, and it can revoke these 'lease rights' from people at any time.

This form of ownership is not comparable with anything we know in the West or any democratic society. So this article is misleading to say the least.

But the propaganda goes on ... You see this kind of article over and again. It's a false narrative.

[-] yogthos@lemmy.ml 17 points 2 weeks ago

Ah, another armchair legal scholar who learned property law from a John Locke coloring book. Let me gently unpack the nonsense here.

You claim that state ownership of land is somehow unique to China and not comparable with anything we know in the West. This is either breathtaking ignorance or deliberate dishonesty. Eminent domain exists in every Western country. In the United States, the government can seize your property for a shopping mall under Kelo v. New London. In the United Kingdom, compulsory purchase orders are routine. In Germany, the state can expropriate land for public projects with minimal compensation. The difference is that in China, the state owns the land upfront, while in the west the state has the same powers but with extra steps.

A 70-year land use right for residential property, registered and transferable, is functionally equivalent to freehold in every practical respect. It can be bought, sold, mortgaged, and inherited. I fail to see how that matters for living your life. Meanwhile, in the liberal 'democratic' model you idolize, speculation and hoarding have made housing unaffordable for an entire generation. People have homes. Your model has literal homeless encampments in every major city. But please, tell me more about how 'ownership' is superior when it leaves millions of people on the street.

Your claim that the state can revoke these lease rights at any time is false both in law and in practice. The Land Administration Law and the Property Law of China provide clear procedures for expropriation, requiring public interest justification and compensation, this is actually a stronger protection than eminent domain provides in most western countries. The idea that the state just kicks people out arbitrarily is a myth repeated by trolls who have never bothered to read the statutes. Yes, there have been abuses, just as there are abuses of eminent domain in the West.

Now run along and do your hamfisted trolling elsewhere.

[-] Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Your rant makes no sense and has nothing to do with my comment, but what's really outstanding is the absurdly primitive language. That makes it at least unique.

[-] EmmiLime@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 weeks ago

You didn't read the post and just dismissed instead. Their post directly addresses your points that were made.

But instead of actually taking it in, you just go redditor mode and make some smug retort while not providing anything of note. Typical shitlib.

[-] yogthos@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 weeks ago

I see your reading comprehension is not so good. Explains why you believe absurdities.

[-] RiverRock@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago

What are you even talking about dude, if you want to defensively put on the pith hat and declare people primitives then try to attack something that makes fuckin sense

[-] CommanderCloon@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 weeks ago

Stop paying your land taxes and see how long you're the owner of said land.

Keep in mind that China does not have such taxes, because the "lease right" is their version of land tax. It's literally the same system, except the leases are paid up front and for 90 years (iirc), so it's inherently more secure for people's personal homes.

[-] Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 2 weeks ago

This is another nonsensical comment to convey a narrative that is outright false.

[-] CommanderCloon@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago

Ok, then stop paying your land tax, then let me know how long you remain the owner of your home 👍

this post was submitted on 18 May 2026
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