Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the national land and resources system has consistently adhered to the new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies for state governance put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping, thoroughly implemented the new development philosophy, and, in the course of comprehensively promoting the “Five-in-One” overall layout and coordinated advancement of the “Four Comprehensive” strategic layout, further clarified its role and positioning. It has regarded resource protection as the primary task in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, resource conservation as the top priority for promoting scientific development, benefiting the people through resource utilization as the guiding direction for enhancing their well-being, deepening reform as a powerful driving force for improving the level of resource security, and perfecting the rule of law as the fundamental guarantee for administering according to law. As a result, it has effectively safeguarded national resource security, food security, ecological security, and economic security, thereby ensuring the sustained, stable, and healthy development of the national economy.

　　New ideas guide a new journey.

　　The practical experience gained since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has fully demonstrated that land and resource management is an important area for the sinicization of Marxism. In the process of putting Marxist theory into practice, land and resource management has continuously innovated and developed, gradually evolving a body of land and resource-related theories with Chinese characteristics, thereby continually enriching the theoretical framework of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This work has also provided an important source of practical inspiration for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Guided by Xi Jinping’s new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies for state governance, the land and resource management system has accurately defined its functional role and adhered to the principles of “fully fulfilling responsibilities to protect land and resources, using land and resources efficiently and intensively, and wholeheartedly safeguarding the rights and interests of the masses.” As a result, it has achieved a series of major breakthroughs, set numerous exemplary cases, obtained a wealth of innovative achievements, and established a comprehensive set of guiding principles and methodologies. The significant advances and innovative experiences in land and resource management demonstrate that theory arises from practice and, in turn, can guide practice. The theoretical innovations and conceptual approaches developed over the past five years in land and resource management can provide decision-making support for further theoretical and practical innovation in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strengthen the foundation for enriching the theoretical framework of Marxism with Chinese characteristics. By leveraging theoretical innovation to overcome inherent limitations, institutional innovation to establish effective rules, and technological innovation to enhance technical levels, we can build a land and resource management system and mechanism that better meets the requirements of the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics and is more scientifically sound and rational.

　　Changes in the international and domestic landscape call for the land and resources sector to uphold the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability and keeping pace with the times. Over the past five years, the global economy has struggled to recover, localized conflicts and turmoil have occurred frequently, and global challenges have intensified. While advanced economies have implemented various incentive policies in an effort to shake off the impact of the financial crisis, emerging economies have demonstrated strong development momentum, achieving rapid economic recovery and reaching new heights in economic performance. China’s economy has adapted to, grasped, and led the new normal of economic development by adhering to the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability. Supply-side structural reforms have been deepened, industrial structures continue to optimize, and the transition from old to new growth drivers has accelerated. The structure of trade has continued to upgrade, a new pattern of two-way investment has taken shape, and China’s overall national strength and international influence have kept growing.

　　The economic situation in the land and resource sector as a whole is showing signs of stabilization and recovery. Nationally, demand for newly developed construction land has generally declined, while the supply of state-owned construction land first decreased and then began to rise. Land consumption per unit of GDP continues to fall, and the proportion of land allocated through market mechanisms has stabilized at a high level. The supply trends for major mineral products have diverged; the mineral trade index has bottomed out and begun to rebound, and prices of key mineral products have generally risen from relatively low levels. Fixed-asset investment in the mining industry has plunged significantly, yet the effects of the resource tax reform are becoming increasingly evident. Globally, the index of geological exploration activities has been fluctuating upward, and financing for exploration is showing signs of bottoming out and recovering. The proportion of low-risk exploration projects continues to increase, and the structure of geological exploration work is being adjusted to adapt to the new situation. The transformation of geological exploration teams has entered a critical phase.

　　Looking ahead, China’s economic growth will continue to undergo three major shifts: from demand-side to supply-side, from factor-driven to innovation-driven, and from focusing on overall growth rates to prioritizing people’s well-being and livelihoods. The real estate market is expected to remain stable. The mining industry is likely to see further consolidation, with improved corporate profitability and a continued rebound in the mineral trade index. Deepened focus will be placed on areas such as energy geology and social welfare geology, while ecological conservation zones will set new requirements for geological exploration activities. Moving forward, building on the achievements of the past five years and the historic transformations that have taken place, guided by the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we will implement the new development philosophy, build a modern land and resource system, accelerate reform of the ecological civilization system, and create a beautiful homeland.

　　Grounded in the new era of reform and development, we must put into practice the new strategy for state governance and administration while serving the overall national interest. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held successfully, marking China’s entry into a new era, giving rise to a new set of guiding thoughts, and embarking on a new journey. This new era defines a new historical orientation and temporal coordinates for socialism with Chinese characteristics; the new guiding thoughts provide a powerful weapon and tremendous strength for building socialism with Chinese characteristics; and the new journey sets out a timetable and roadmap for fully building a modern socialist country. The land and resources system should comprehensively implement the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy, taking the new propositions and requirements put forward in the report of the 19th National Congress regarding land and resource work as the guiding principles for scientifically planning key tasks in this field. We must focus on promoting all-round development, building a beautiful homeland, and enhancing the benefits of resources for the people, ensuring that the spirit of the 19th National Congress becomes a powerful ideological weapon driving the development of land and resource endeavors. The land and resources system should deeply study and implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress, fully carry out the arrangements made at the Central Economic Work Conference and the Rural Work Conference, and thoroughly implement the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy. We must scientifically plan the overall tasks and key priorities for land and resource work in the new era, and ensure that the major decisions and deployments adopted at the 19th National Congress are effectively implemented in land and resource management. We must firmly establish the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” and strive to open up new horizons in ecological land development. We must protect arable land resources and safeguard national food security;Achieve new breakthroughs in mineral exploration and development, and ensure national energy and resource security. We must implement a two-way supply-and-demand adjustment and total volume control system under innovative development, and accelerate the establishment of upper limits for natural resource utilization. We must implement a land space use control system under coordinated development, and speed up the establishment of baseline standards for ecological function protection. We must implement an ecological conservation and management system under green development, and expedite the establishment of bottom lines for environmental quality and safety. We must adopt a new strategy for resource governance under open development, enhancing our voice and leadership role in global governance. We must implement a resource-based livelihood保障 system under shared development, pursuing the interests of the people and addressing their concerns. We must make every effort to address the issues of unbalanced and inadequate development, and enhance the people’s sense of happiness, fulfillment, and security. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must comprehensively and high-quality advance land and resource work, laying a solid foundation for realizing the first centenary goal.

　　Supply-side structural reform

　　Carry out structural reforms on the supply side of services and make every effort to ensure economic and social development.

　　Addressing overcapacity in industries such as steel and coal, promoting inventory reduction and preventing overheating in related sectors like real estate, and fully implementing the “Three Reductions, One Lowering, and One Supplement” task. Revising and strictly enforcing the “Catalog of Projects Restricted from Land Use” and the “Catalog of Projects Prohibited from Land Use,” refusing to allocate land-use planning indicators for new capacity projects that do not conform to national industrial policies, and rejecting applications for preliminary land-use reviews and examinations. Completely suspending the acceptance of land-use and mining approvals for construction projects in the steel and coal industries. Fully implementing the principle that “houses are for living in, not for speculation,” adopting “one city, one policy” and targeted governance measures in key cities, and strengthening control over land use for real estate development. Guiding and encouraging all prefecture-level cities and counties (cities) with populations exceeding one million to formulate and release medium-term plans for residential land supply and three-year rolling plans, thereby rationally guiding public expectations. Jointly issuing the “Opinions on Supporting the Development of New Industries and Business Models and Promoting Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation through Land Use Policies” and the “Opinions on Land Use Policies to Support the Development of the Tourism Industry,” and implementing the “Opinions on Further Stimulating Investment Vitality in the Social Sector.” Through innovative land-use support policies, actively meeting new social demands. Focusing on geological surveys, land-use planning, and assessments of resource and environmental carrying capacity, providing robust land-resource support for the Belt and Road Initiative, coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and fully supporting the planning and construction of the Xiong’an New Area. Advancing urban geological work and expanding new frontiers for land use. Using adjustments to the structure of resource supply to make the “Three Reductions, One Lowering, and One Supplement” more precise; leveraging rural land-system reforms to bolster structural reforms on the agricultural supply side; innovating industrial land-use policies to revitalize the real economy; and employing scientifically sound land supply practices to promote the steady and healthy development of the real estate market. By reasonably adjusting the structure of land supply, establishing a mechanism linking population to land availability, improving the policy on balancing cultivated land occupation and replenishment, and refining industrial land-use policies, we continuously strengthen and enhance planning and regulatory oversight. As a result of these efforts, we have reversed the structural imbalance between resource supply and demand, optimized the structure of economic and social development’s demand for land and mineral resources, and effectively curbed the trends of rapid growth in resource consumption and disorderly spatial expansion.

　　Protect resources

　　Diligently and responsibly protect land and resource assets, and firmly uphold the upper limits for resource development and utilization.

　　Implement the strictest system for protecting cultivated land and the strategy of "storing grain in land and in technology," and make every effort to safeguard national food security. We will consistently uphold the strictest system for protecting cultivated land, treating it with the same care we give to giant pandas. Scientifically delineate permanent basic farmland to ensure that the actual area of cultivated land remains broadly stable; improve the system of balancing occupied and replenished farmland, and establish a new mechanism for protection that employs multiple measures in combination; vigorously promote land consolidation and the construction of high-standard basic farmland; strengthen the management of cultivated land quality, and set up a coordinated assessment mechanism for cultivated land protection. Centered on achieving integrated protection of cultivated land in terms of quantity, quality, and ecology, we will establish a comprehensive framework for cultivated land protection that focuses on planning control, use regulation, land consolidation, and incentive and constraint mechanisms. We will firmly hold the red line of 1.8 billion mu of cultivated land, designate 1.55 billion mu as permanent basic farmland, and build 480 million mu of high-standard farmland, with the average quality of consolidated farmland improving by one to two grades. Strengthen the protection of mineral resources, implement differentiated management based on different types of minerals, establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism for specifically protected minerals subject to protective mining practices, and continue to enforce total volume controls on advantageous minerals, effectively preventing over-exploitation of these key resources. Establish a national catalog of strategic resources, and enhance industrial guidance and differentiated management. Improve the mechanism for protecting mineral resources, forming a system that features "planning-based source control, total-volume control of extraction, crackdown on illegal mining, and establishment of reserve mechanisms" for the protection and rational development and utilization of mineral resources. Strengthen the preparation and implementation of plans, enhance strategic planning and macro-management for land development and protection, and scientifically formulate the series of “13th Five-Year Plan” programs in the field of land and resources. Intensify surveys and evaluations of land and resources, release the results of the Second National Land Survey, and launch the Third National Land Survey. The three major surveys of mineral resources have all been completed and accepted, providing a clear picture of China’s resource inventory. Conduct the first nationwide geographic census to gain a comprehensive understanding of China’s current geographic conditions. We have firmly upheld the red lines for cultivated land and permanent basic farmland protection, achieved the dual-control targets for construction land, secured the bottom line for the supply of energy and critical mineral resources that affect the overall situation, and maintained the bottom line for reform in land and resource management.

　　Conservation and intensive use

　　Implement the strategy of prioritizing conservation and promote the efficient and intensive use of land and resources.

　　Implement the strictest land-saving system, adopt a “dual-control” management approach for both the total amount and intensity of construction land use, consistently promote the linkage between increases and reductions in urban and rural construction land, and popularize land-saving technologies and models. Promote, in an orderly manner, the redevelopment of inefficient urban land and the reclamation and utilization of abandoned industrial and mining sites, thereby tapping into development potential from existing land stocks. Ten provinces have launched pilot programs for the redevelopment of inefficient urban land; 23 provinces have initiated pilot programs for the reclamation and utilization of abandoned industrial and mining sites; 15 provinces have launched pilot programs for the development and utilization of low-hill and gently sloping lands; and five provinces have piloted reforms in the temporary land-use practices for open-pit mines. As of the end of June 2017, 986,000 mu of idle land had been disposed of, achieving a disposal rate of 93.9%. In line with the requirement to "transform resource conservation into a driving force and intrinsic constraint for development through deepening reform and institutional innovation," we are making concerted efforts to enhance the level of conservation and efficient utilization of mineral resources. We have formulated and implemented the "Opinions on Promoting Comprehensive Conservation and Efficient Utilization of Mineral Resources," which sets out the guiding direction for conserving and efficiently utilizing mineral resources over the coming period. We have also developed and issued "three-rate" indicators for 33 key mineral types, including oil, natural gas, coal, lithium, strontium, barite, limestone, magnesite, and boron ore. We have announced six batches of catalogs promoting advanced and applicable technologies for the conservation and comprehensive utilization of mineral resources, selecting and publishing 334 advanced and applicable mining and beneficiation technologies. Furthermore, we have conducted pilot surveys and assessments of the level of mineral resource development and utilization, resulting in significant improvements in this area. Over the years, we have organized three rounds of activities to identify model counties (cities) for economical and intensive use of land and resources, ultimately recognizing a total of 451 model counties (cities) for such practices. We have also promoted the establishment of 40 demonstration bases for the comprehensive utilization of mineral resources. By building model counties (cities) for economical and intensive use of land and resources, model provinces for intensive resource utilization, demonstration bases for the comprehensive utilization of mineral resources, and green mines, we have established a number of replicable and scalable exemplary models. Under policy support aimed at optimizing resource allocation, we are guiding market entities to continuously improve their resource utilization levels, promoting efficient resource development, green mining practices, comprehensive resource utilization, and fully leveraging the demonstration and guiding role to facilitate the formation of an industrial system characterized by green, circular, and low-carbon development.

　　Protect rights and interests

　　Uphold a people-centered approach and wholeheartedly safeguard the rights and interests of the masses.

　　Take “practice first, people paramount” as the fundamental starting point and ultimate goal of land and resources work. By tilting land-use planning, resource policies, and major projects toward impoverished areas, we are wholeheartedly supporting their development. We have issued the “Opinions on Supporting Poverty Alleviation in Deeply Impoverished Areas,” adopting innovative policies to do our utmost in assisting these regions in their fight against poverty. Furthermore, we released the “Notice on Effectively Utilizing and Activating the Increase-Reduction Linkage Policy to Actively Support Poverty Alleviation and Relocation Programs,” enabling impoverished areas to transfer surplus indicators from the increase-reduction linkage system for a fee within provincial boundaries. As of the end of June 2017, a total of 131,700 mu of surplus indicators had been transferred and utilized nationwide, generating revenue of 35.3 billion yuan. We’ve gone to great lengths—searching high and low, mobilizing all available resources—to resolutely win the battle against poverty in the Gannan and Wumeng Mountain regions. We’ve strengthened geological surveys aimed at poverty alleviation, completing geological surveys of land quality covering 240,000 square kilometers in regions such as the Wumeng Mountains and the rocky desertification areas of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, and identifying 11,000 square kilometers of selenium-rich land. In revolutionary old areas and impoverished regions, we’ve implemented demonstration projects for groundwater exploration and water supply security, addressing water shortages for over 22 million people. We’re promoting reforms in land expropriation systems, confirming property rights over rural collective land, supporting land use for affordable housing projects, and ensuring that resource development revenues are shared equitably to safeguard the rights and interests of local communities. We’ve refined land expropriation procedures and ensured proper compensation and resettlement for farmers whose land is expropriated. We’ve fully implemented national regulations on migrant resettlement, fully protecting the legitimate rights and interests of relocated residents. We’ve comprehensively promoted unified real estate registration, strengthening protection of the legitimate rights and interests of right holders and building a convenient and people-friendly service system. As of May 2017, we had issued 25 million real estate ownership certificates. We’ve also issued the “National Plan for Geological Disaster Prevention and Control during the 13th Five-Year Plan Period,” aiming to establish by 2020 four comprehensive systems—geological disaster investigation and assessment, monitoring and early warning, integrated management, and emergency response and prevention—that will significantly enhance grassroots capabilities in geological disaster defense. We’ve established 1,120 counties meeting high standards for geological disaster prevention and control—each equipped with “ten essential features.” We’ve increased financial investment and implemented major projects for geological disaster prevention and control. We place great emphasis on embedding the protection of people’s rights and interests into all aspects of deepening reform, promoting development, improving the rule of law, coordinating urban and rural development, advancing poverty alleviation, enhancing social security, preventing and mitigating disasters, and accelerating development in old revolutionary base areas, integrating this principle into every stage—from decision-making and implementation to supervision.

　　Ecological Territory

　　Strive to build an ecologically sound country and vigorously support the development of ecological civilization.

　　In accordance with the requirement of “optimizing the allocation and integrated development and utilization of various natural resources in multiple varieties, forms, and functions,” we have made every effort to prepare national land-use plans, essentially establishing a spatial planning system that covers the entire country. Based on the carrying capacity of resources and the environment, we have strengthened planning control and use regulation, scientifically determining the scale, structure, layout, and timing of land development and resource utilization. This has promoted concentrated land development, classified protection, and comprehensive remediation, optimizing the spatial pattern of land use and playing an important role in building a Beautiful China. Adhering to the concept that “mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, and grasslands constitute a community of life,” we have undertaken comprehensive land remediation and restoration to enhance land functions, advancing integrated management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, and grasslands and forming a new pattern for comprehensive land remediation. In the geological exploration industry, we have established the concept of “green exploration,” continuously upgrading exploration technologies and striving to build a green drilling technology system, while accelerating the formulation of green exploration norms and standards. We have carried out four batches of pilot programs involving a total of 661 nationally designated green mines, and jointly issued with five other ministries—including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environmental Protection—the “Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of Green Mines.” We have coordinated resource development with environmental protection, thoroughly conveyed and implemented the spirit of the central government’s notification on the inspection and handling of ecological and environmental issues in the Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve in Gansu Province, as well as the lessons learned from these cases. We have focused on promoting the cleanup of mining rights within protected areas and on strengthening ecological protection and restoration in the Qilian Mountains, thereby solidifying the ecological security barrier in western China. We have issued the “Work Plan for Cleaning Up Mining Rights in Nature Reserves,” systematically carrying out the cleanup of mining rights in various protected areas and ensuring that no new mining rights are established within nature reserves. We have standardized the protection and management of geological resources, providing support for the pilot reform of the national park system. Over the past five years, the coordination of land-space development in China has significantly improved, and our overall competitiveness has been markedly enhanced. The structural arrangement of production, living, and ecological spaces has continued to optimize; the integration of regional, urban-rural, and land-sea land development has been strengthened; the synergistic effects of regional development have become increasingly evident; the alignment between land urbanization and population urbanization has been enhanced; and nearshore, coastal, deep-sea, and island areas have been developed in an orderly manner, achieving coordinated development and protection of our blue territory. All these efforts have laid a solid foundation for establishing three red lines: a baseline for safeguarding ecological functions, a bottom line for ensuring environmental quality and safety, and an upper limit for the utilization of natural resources.

　　Mineral Exploration Breakthrough

　　Put the Overall National Security Concept into practice and ensure the security of the nation’s energy and resource supplies.

　　Through the Strategic Action for Breakthroughs in Mineral Exploration, we have achieved new breakthroughs in the exploration and development of energy minerals such as oil, natural gas, shale gas, and natural gas hydrates, as well as other critical mineral resources. In practice, we have established resource protection mechanisms that meet the requirements of China’s socialist market economy, achieving a “win-win” outcome in both resource development and conservation. We have adjusted and optimized the work deployment for the third phase of the Strategic Action for Breakthroughs in Mineral Exploration, increasing investment in the exploration of clean energy sources and emerging strategic minerals. We have strategically restructured geological survey institutions and established an operational framework that integrates “planning—engineering—projects.” Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, geological mineral exploration has achieved a series of major breakthroughs: a batch of medium-sized mineral deposits have been newly discovered; a number of new oil and gas fields have been identified; and world-class super-large deposits of uranium, manganese, gold, lead-zinc, tungsten, molybdenum, graphite, and lithium have been found. The technological battle to develop shale gas in southern China has yielded significant breakthroughs—the E’yi-1 well in Yichang, Hubei Province, is predicted to hold reserves exceeding 500 billion cubic meters. China’s first large-scale shale gas field—the Fuling Shale Gas Field—has now cumulatively supplied over 10 billion cubic meters of gas, marking that China’s shale gas industry has accelerated its transition into a stage of large-scale commercial development. We have promoted the implementation of the “Going Global” strategy for mineral resources, improved and perfected the public service system for resource opening and cooperation, and actively participated in the formulation of international rules, standards, and initiatives in the resource sector, playing a leading role and significantly enhancing China’s influence and voice in the global pattern of resource supply and demand, resource allocation, and resource cooperation. We have supported the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative by coordinating domestic and international resources and markets, thus establishing a new pattern of resource opening and cooperation that is rooted in China yet oriented toward the globe. We have actively engaged in the global allocation of resource markets, led global cooperation on resource production capacity, and conducted bilateral and multilateral resource diplomacy worldwide, thereby strengthening China’s control over global resources, its power to set market prices, and its ability to shape global resource governance rules, and striving to create a new model of global resource governance based on a community with a shared future for global resource cooperation.

　　“Three Depths and One Soil”

　　Implement the innovation-driven development strategy and carry out the “Three Deep and One Soil” science and technology innovation strategy.

　　We have launched a tough battle to "advance into the deep Earth," fully implementing the "Three Deep and One Soil" national land resource technology innovation strategy, which encompasses deep-earth exploration, deep-sea exploration, deep-space Earth observation, and land science and technology. As a result, we have achieved a series of theoretical breakthroughs and practical advances in geology, mineral resources, land management, and earth sciences. Historic breakthroughs have been made in key technologies such as deep-sea entry, deep-sea surveying, and deep-sea exploitation. The successful trial extraction of natural gas hydrates in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea marks a complete independent innovation in exploration, development theories, technologies, engineering, and equipment, making China the first country in the world to successfully conduct a trial extraction of offshore natural gas hydrates. The manned deep-sea submersible "Jiaolong" has successfully completed its dive missions, and the domestically developed unmanned remotely operated vehicle "Haima" has been put into service for ocean resource surveys. The construction of a deep-space Earth observation system is progressing smoothly; the "Resource-1" 02C satellite has been completed and accepted, significantly enhancing our comprehensive regulatory capabilities over land resources. Major progress has also been made in land engineering technology. A number of key laboratories, field scientific observation and research bases, and internationally recognized earth science research institutions have been established. We have cultivated a large pool of new technology experts and backbone personnel, producing outstanding scientists such as Huang Dayuan. We have built a comprehensive regulatory platform centered on "one map"; constructed an online land inspection system featuring "one database," "two networks," and "three systems" as its core components; and continuously improved standards and specifications, bringing the total number of currently valid standards in the land resource sector to 564. By focusing on major national needs and persistently overcoming critical core technologies, we have opened up a new era of innovation in land resource science and technology.

　　Deepen reform

　　Implement the central government’s requirements for comprehensively deepening reform and further advance reform in the field of land and resources.

　　We are comprehensively advancing three pilot programs centered on reforming the rural land system: the land acquisition system, the entry of collectively-owned construction land into the market, and the homestead system. By carrying out these three pilot programs in 33 counties (districts and cities), including Daxing District in Beijing, we aim to ensure that farmers benefit, rural areas achieve effective governance, enterprises gain space for development, industries thrive, land is revitalized, and cultivated land is protected. We have established the concept of "grand resources," fully implementing the central government’s clear requirements for unified property rights confirmation and planning management of all natural resources and ecological spaces—including water flows, forests, mountains, grasslands, wastelands, and tidal flats—thus promoting reforms in the natural resource management system and establishing a unified real estate registration system. The "Opinions on Improving the Ecological Protection Compensation Mechanism" and the "Guiding Opinions on the Reform of the Paid Use System for Natural Resource Assets Owned by the Whole People" have been issued; the "Work Plan for Piloting Unified Property Rights Registration of Proven Mineral Reserves" has been released and put into effect; the "Measures for Evaluating and Assessing Goals of Ecological Civilization Construction" and the "Measures for Holding Party and Government Leading Cadres Accountable for Environmental Damage" have been formulated and implemented, laying the foundation for a basically established system of strict accountability. We are also pushing forward reforms of the mineral rights transfer system and the mechanisms governing oil and gas exploration and extraction, and significant progress has been made in establishing a system of mineral resource rights fees. We are vigorously promoting the "delegation, regulation, and service" reform, abolishing or delegating 31 administrative approval items, and completing the comprehensive cleanup of all non-administrative licensing approval items. Over several years of exploration and practice, the land and resources sector has accumulated a number of important reform achievements and valuable experience, standardized the exercise and oversight of power, and laid a solid foundation for the reform of the ecological civilization system, the building of a law-based land administration system, and the establishment of a unified urban-rural construction land market.

　　Rule of Law in Land Management

　　Implement the strategy of governing the country according to law in a comprehensive manner and vigorously promote the construction of a rule-of-law-based land management system.

　　We have thoroughly implemented the Party Central Committee’s strategy of governing the country comprehensively according to law, made strategic arrangements for fully advancing the rule-of-law-based development of land and resources, continuously enhanced the level of law-based administration within the land and resource management system, and provided solid guarantees for the reform and development of the land and resource sector. We formulated and issued the “Opinions of the Party Group of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the CPC on Fully Advancing the Rule-of-Law-Based Development of Land and Resources,” setting forth the overall objectives, key tasks, and working mechanisms for building a rule-of-law-based land and resource system. In coordination with the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, we promulgated the “Interim Regulations on Real Estate Registration” and initiated revisions to six administrative regulations, including the “Implementation Regulations of the Land Management Law” and the “Administrative Measures for the Registration of Mineral Resource Exploration Blocks,” and drafted the “Regulations on National Land Inspection Work.” We also collaborated with legislative bodies to revise the “Surveying and Mapping Law,” and the “Regulations on Map Management” were promulgated by the State Council. In cooperation with legislative authorities, we formulated the “Law on Exploration and Development of Resources in Deep-Sea Seabed Areas,” laying the foundation for a comprehensive legal framework for deep-sea resources. Furthermore, we issued departmental rules such as the “Regulations on the Administration of Normative Documents on Land and Resources,” the “Administrative Measures for the Overall Planning of Land Use,” the “Regulations on the Economical and Intensive Use of Land,” the “Measures for Administrative Penalties in Land and Resource Management,” and the “Regulations on Administrative Litigation in Land and Resource Management,” and revised existing regulations including the “Regulations on Administrative Reconsideration in Land and Resource Management,” the “Administrative Measures for Annual Land Use Plans,” the “Administrative Measures for Pre-examination of Construction Project Land Use,” and the “Administrative Measures for Examination and Approval of Construction Land.” As of 2017, there were 21 currently valid administrative regulations on land and resource management, and 66 currently valid departmental rules issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources. We conducted a comprehensive review of the Ministry’s existing normative documents, deciding to abolish, declare invalid, or exclude from the scope of normative documents a total of 542 documents. We carried out post-assessment of regulations and normative documents to promote continuous improvement in land and resource management. We earnestly performed administrative reconsideration and litigation work, effectively fulfilling our supervisory and redress functions and providing strong support for land and resource management. We have comprehensively strengthened enforcement and supervision over land and resource management, continually intensifying enforcement efforts and steadily improving the enforcement situation. We have diligently performed the role of “Guardians of the Nation’s Land,” fully promoted the national land inspection work, and continuously enhanced the effectiveness of land inspections.

　　Strictly govern the Party

　　Implement the requirements for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and strengthen Party conduct and integrity as well as team building.

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Ministry of Natural Resources has continuously carried out educational practice activities on the Party’s mass line, special education on “Three Stricts and Three Honests,” and study-and-education campaigns on “Two Studies and One Action.” The Ministry has also undergone the first round of central inspections, consistently adhering to a problem-oriented approach, earnestly implementing rectifications, and persistently pursuing reform and innovation, thereby steadily strengthening and solidifying the main responsibility for strict Party governance at all levels. Political life within the Party has become more rigorous and standardized; grassroots Party organizations within government agencies have been reinforced; and the ideological awareness and competence of Party members and cadres have continued to improve. We have firmly established the “Four Consciousnesses,” vigorously implemented the “Two Responsibilities,” and regarded comprehensively promoting strict Party governance and building an honest and clean Party as a crucial political task. This has created an effective working pattern featuring unified leadership by the Ministry’s Party Group, clear division of responsibilities among leading officials in charge, and concrete implementation by Party organizations at all levels—thus ensuring that pressure is effectively transmitted down the hierarchy. We have strictly enforced the "Regulations on Internal Supervision within the Communist Party of China," ensuring that supervisory duties are fulfilled at every level. The Ministry’s Party Group has issued documents such as the “Opinions on Implementing the Main Responsibility of the Party Group and the Supervisory Responsibility of the Discipline Inspection Group in Building an Honest and Clean Party,” the “Measures for Inspecting and Assessing the Implementation of the Main Responsibility and Supervisory Responsibility in Building an Honest and Clean Party,” and the “Measures for Holding Accountable for the Implementation of Strict Party Governance and Building an Honest and Clean Party.” Through establishing and perfecting systems such as reporting on duties and responsibilities, conducting interviews, and carrying out work assessments, we have promoted the extension of strict Party governance down to the grassroots level. We have consistently implemented the spirit of the Central Committee’s Eight-Point Regulations, relentlessly tackled the “Four Winds,” deepened style-of-work improvements through sustained efforts, advanced the construction of clean and efficient government agencies, introduced a dual-control system for managing meeting schedules and budgetary expenditures, and continuously improved the style of writing and meetings. In response to issues identified during inspections and special checks, the Ministry’s Party Group has formulated five documents, including the “Several Provisions on Strengthening the Close Ties between Party Members and Cadres and Further Improving Work Styles.” We have focused on key links and critical areas, strengthened intra-Party supervision, and enhanced risk prevention and control management. We have leveraged the sharp sword of inspection, emphasizing political inspections, bolstering the capacity of agency discipline inspection bodies, achieving full coverage of inspections of Party organizations directly affiliated with the agency, identifying problems precisely, and ensuring thorough rectification and implementation. We have strictly enforced Party discipline, maintained high-pressure anti-corruption efforts, and made concerted efforts to address unhealthy tendencies and corruption. We adhere to the principle of investigating and punishing all instances of corruption and bribery without exception, extending our anti-corruption and integrity-building efforts right down to the most basic and peripheral levels, rigorously investigating and addressing unhealthy tendencies and corruption cases close to the people. We have strengthened team building, tightened oversight and management, issued the “Opinions on Further Strengthening Cadre Team Building” along with supporting measures, and refined mechanisms for cadre selection and appointment, performance evaluation, management and supervision, and incentive and protection systems, significantly enhancing the capabilities and qualities of our cadres. (Author: Situation Analysis Group, China Institute of Land and Resources Economics)