Chinese farmland

"Land will continue to belong to the state, but "leases" introduced by reformers in 1978 could now be lengthened to 70 years, giving farmers far greater freedom over what to do with their land.

The household responsibility system, also launched in 1978, allocated plots of collectively-owned land to individual families for as long as 30 years, allowing them to make production decisions and reap the profits.

Experts say the development will mark a full break from the country's "semi-feudal" past by liberating farmers from grassroots party committees, which have remained responsible for allocating land use rights."

Thanks Marcy and Rania who asked: how will this affect the farmers? I say: it's all good.