The General Office of the State Council has issued an urgent circular ordering local governments to continue cracking down on illegal land use, to curb the investment craze in some industries and to ensure the smooth operation of national economy.

According to the circular, strict measures will be made to control land use. All activities involving the examination and approval of turning farmland into work sites for infrastructure projects should be stopped. Substantial efforts should be made to protect "basic farmland" that is officially designated for farming.

China will actively promote the reform of the management of land resources, the circular says.

Any localities who have refused to carry out the central policies will be severely punished, it warns.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2004)