Land is a key factor in China’s quest for economic growth, urbanization, national food security, social harmony, and even a stable banking system. Rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to a dramatic increase in the demand for land use, which, when combined with weak land rights, has led to land grabbing and increasing social unrest. The rapid rate of farmland loss has engendered grave concerns at the national level about the country’s ability to meet future food security needs. In addition, the reliance of many local governments on land transfers and land-related financing as major sources of revenue has contributed to the overheating of the macroeconomy. Managing the diverse roles of land in the economy is a challenge that will require a comprehensive approach from policymakers at both local and national levels.

• "China: Moving Towards New Land Policy for Sustainable Development"
  Guo Li, Senior Agricultural Economist, Rural Development & Natural Resources Sector Unit, The World Bank
• "Can Land Be Used as an Effective Policy Instrument to Stimulate City Growth?"
  Chengri Ding, Associate Professor, China Land Policy and Urban Management Program, University of Maryland
• "Farmland Conversion and Economic Growth in China: Theory and Empirical Evidence"
  Erik Lichtenberg, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland
• "Securing Property Rights in Transition: Lessons from Implementation of China's Rural Land Contracting Law"
  Klaus Deininger, Lead Economist, Development Research Group, The World Bank
• Open Discussion