China spends 15b yuan on land census

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-01 00:21

BEIJING: China has put in nearly 15 billion yuan ($2.19 billion) and dispatched more than 200,000 personnel in its second nationwide land census that started in June, 2007, Xu Shaoshi, minister with the Ministry of Land and Resources, said Monday.

The Quickbird satellite, an American earth-imaging satellite, French satellite Spot 5, China's home-brand satellites and aero photography technology were employed to ensure accurate and reliable figures, according to Xu.

Local authorities from 20 provinces have conducted double check on the data they reported to the central authority, and more than 10 of them were required to make further examinations, as areas of the arable land and land for construction use did not conform to the approved proportions, said Xu.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on November 17 urged efforts to optimize land use in order to save resources and further promote adjustment of the country's economic structure.