China’s new regulations on land expropriation and relocation compensation in large and medium-scale water and electricity power projects will take effect on June 1, 2017, according to a circular issued by the State Council on May 2.

The new version mainly made modifications to Article 22. The move is aimed at seeking fairer compensation for residents whose land has been expropriated and who have to be relocated, ensuring a smooth resettlement work, and safeguarding relocated residents’ legal rights while better carrying out the projects.

The compensation regulations are composed of 63 articles in eight chapters, mainly concerning residents’ relocation plans, land expropriation, support policies and related supervision work.

So far, the regulations have been modified three times - in July 2013, December 2013, and April 2017 - since its official release in 2006.