Other Views

Base for healthy housing market

As the real estate registration regulation comes into effect, information about property ownership will be available nationwide; that's the prerequisite for collecting a tax on property ownership, instead of property trade. Only with this change in the tax system will people buy houses to live in rather than to earn profits, which, in turn will stabilize housing prices.

Guo Yi, marketing supervisor at Yahao Real Estate Selling and Consulting Solution Agency, ifeng.com, Dec 22

Media reports use "controlling housing prices" in their headlines for the introduction of the regulation, which is a serious misunderstanding of the move. Actually, the regulation aims, above everything else, to protect private properties; how could they think about depriving house owners of their properties? That's absurd.

Chen Huai, a former policy researcher at Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, 163.com, Dec 22

A property ownership registration regulation is a key foundation stone for China's market economy; like all civil laws, it will protect the market economy, effectively protect ordinary people's property rights, and increase the convenience of buying and selling. The introduction of the regulation marks a giant step forward on the path of rule of law.

china.com.cn, Dec 22

A symbol of the government's determination to control the property market, the new real estate registration regulation will have a heavy psychological influence upon the people, and make them believe the government will take harsh measures to stabilize housing prices. The supply of secondhand apartments in metropolises and major big cities is increasing, and this trend is likely to continue.

Zhang Dawei, chief analyst at Centaline Property, people.com.cn, Dec 22

Merely registering nationwide property ownership won't influence the realty market, but policies adopted on the information collected, such as a property tax, will. Besides, as many expect, the process will help fight graft, corrupt officials will face heavier pressure because they can no longer hide property registered to their families.

Peng Peng, independent realty analyst, fang.com, Dec 22