China's Cabinet on Wednesday approved the general outline for the land use plan during 2006-2020 period to ensure the proper use of arable land and guarantee a minimum of 120 million hectares of arable land, amid concerns about grain security.

The State Council agreed at an executive meeting the plan to make sure the area of the country's arable land remains at 121 million ha by 2010 and no less than 120 million ha by 2020.

The outline called for a guaranteed 120 million hectares of arable land to ensure grain security, economic and social stability, according to the meeting, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

The outline also called for tightened restrictions on the acquisition of farmland for construction of housing and factories and urged local authorities to intensify monitoring of land use. Any unlawful land seizure should be timely adjusted.

Experts believed the arable land pollution, together with a declining area of farmed land, had posed a severe threat to the country's food security.

According to the outline, relentless efforts would be made to improve land using efficiency and achieve a structure balance between the ecological land use and lands for other usage.

Chief leaders of local governments will be held accountable for the implementation of land use plans.

Efforts will be made to push legislation to regulate land use.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)