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  Nation's real estate market policy pays off   (Xinhua)  Updated: 2006-01-30 09:09  
China's policy of exerting tighter control over the real estate market has 
reaped rewards, according to the Chinese Ministry of Construction. 
 The ministry reports that the investment growth rate has stabilized and house 
prices have lowered since restrictions relating to land supply and house 
purchase were imposed in April 2005 to combat soaring prices and the development 
of improper housing structures. 
 Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that since 
May 2005 the growth rate of housing investment in China has been lower than the 
growth rate of urban fixed asset investment each month. 
 House prices have also steadied as a result of reduced speculation in the 
real estate market, according to the Ministry of Construction. 
 The NBS said that in November 2005, although house prices in 70 major Chinese 
cities went up 6.8 percent, the growth rate was lower than that of the same 
period in 2004 and that of the first quarter of 2005. 
 According to an investigation into China's 40 major cities, trade involving 
high-standard flats or luxury villas decreased, while the trade on medium and 
low cost houses surged. 
  
  
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