By staff reporter Zhang Yingguang

(Caijing.com.cn)The government declined to comment on stimulus measures for the real estate sector, with an official reiterating that the priority is to implement existing policies to support other areas of the economy already identified for aid.  

Qi Ji, vice minister for housing and urban-rural development, said at a media briefing on March 11 that the government will focus on fully implementing existing policies enacted by the State Council, China’s cabinet. 

Qi Ji

Qi’s remarks are the second signal from the ministry in many weeks apparently intended to dampen speculation over policy support for real estate.

Last week the minister, Jiang Weixin, told Caijing on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People’s Congress: “Existing policies will continue to be implemented,” with no medium or long-term programs for real estate to be announced at the NPC.

Caijing has learned from sources familiar with the matter that the ministry has a draft two-year plan to reinvigorate the real estate industry. The plan is subject to State Council approval, but it is now unclear whether the ministry intends to proceed after the two officials downplayed the prospects of a real estate rescue.

Full article in Chinese: http://www.caijing.com.cn/2009-03-11/110117680.html

                                 http://www.caijing.com.cn/2009-03-11/110117807.html