China steps up fight to end corruption in land markets

China will conduct a nationwide audit of government land sales and related deals that may shed light on rent-seeking and corruption, Reuters reported, citing a Saturday article by The Economic Observer newspaper. The audit, to be launched this week, is likely to “disclose the rent-seeking and corruption phenomenon in various areas” the newspaper said, citing unnamed government sources. President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has led to a growing number of officials being investigated or punished for corruption, with many linked to the property sector.