Lost Land

If I have a Chinese Land Deed (pre-communist), is there any way of reclaiming the land in question?

[yctp]

Originally Posted by Deed Finder If I have a Chinese Land Deed (pre-communist), is there any way of reclaiming the land in question?

Simple answer: No!

All land belongs to the state and is held in trust by the state.

When you buy land here, it's more like a lease than outright ownership.

What you have makes an interesting historical document, but the chances that the government of China, whilst under one party rule, would ever revert your land to you is about as high as a below sea level valley. Nil.

It may be that in the distant future, this may change should China ever become multi-party. But not until then.

Now, you could hold on to the document in the hopes that a future generation of your family may benefit from a possible reversion, or you could put it up for auction on Ebay. You may get a reasonable amount of interest from Sinologists.

At least that's how I understand the present conditions here.

My wife's family were big landowners before, but had the lot taken away from them. They do not harbour any hopes of ever seeing the land or the factories again.

I hope this has answered your question.

All the best,

Ken Stone