China's Ministry of Land and Resources recently warned government officers who illegally approve new land acquisitions will face party or government disciplinary sanctions.

The ministry said those suspected of crimes will also face charges in court.

An official of the ministry said recently there have been more serious illegal new land acquisitions in some areas that have hindered the healthy development of the national economy.

The ministry has demanded its provincial counterparts focus on major cases of illegal land acquisition. These include approving land acquisitions that are counter to land use planning and the national policies or exceed an official's authority to approve land acquisitions and the illegally use of farm lands. Ministries of land and resources and supervision will make joint efforts to examine the enforcement of law in terms of illegal land cases.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2006)