 the village committee of Baizhi in Hebei province, who only gave his surname.





China launched a land registration system in 2014, seeking to document over a billion plots assigned to rural households over a period of four years.

But a survey in three provinces in the central China last year found that 1 in 5 women who had already “lost” their lands don’t have their name included in any land documents from her parent’s side or her husband’s side.

Cui Jianhua*, from Harqin Banner in Inner Mongolia, is one of them. She grew medicinal herbs on the approximately 0.33-acres of land given to her husband’s family. Cui’s birthplace had taken back her contracted land after her marriage in 1990.

But she also ran into trouble when trying to add her name to her husband’s land contract, which would give the couple access to more land.

The village convened an assembly to check the existing contracts and discuss the rules of renewal. Some families with members who had married off or died were unwilling to give up their land, and thus, absent from the meeting, and the new arrangement to allocate land to women who had married into the village like Cui could not be passed without the consent of the majority.

“Land is everything for us farmers,” said Cui. “But the village committee just said they were unable to help.”

The couple had little choice but to pay 8,000 yuan a year to lease another 1.65 acres of land from other villagers for farming, so that they could eke out a living and send their two daughters to college.

To save money for the lease, Cui, 49, doesn’t hire any helpers even at the busiest times. She and her husband had to work for over 20 hours per day for nearly two and a half of months during the harvesting season.

‘Tyranny of the majority’

Village committees involved in land right disputes argued rural land contracting is a collective concern and closely related to all members’ interests, and thus, should be decided by all villagers.

Several policymakers and lawyers, however, argue issues concerning individual’s human rights and interests should not be decided by majority voting. Matters which require majority consent should only refer to villages’ public affairs such as its budget and other collective economic activities, they said.

“The power and autonomy of
the village committee of Baizhi in Hebei province, who only gave his surname. 





 China launch a kingdom registration system in 2014, seeking to document over a billion plot assigned to rural households over a menstruation of four year. 

 But a survey in three state in the central China last class found that 1 in 5 women who had already “ lost ” their lands do n’t accept their name included in any land documents from her parent ’s side or her husband ’s side. 

 Cui Jianhua *, from Harqin Banner in Inner Mongolia, is one of them. She develop medicinal herbs on the approximately 0.33 - acres of estate given to her husband ’s family. Cui ’s birthplace had taken back her contracted domain after her marriage in 1990. 

 But she also ran into trouble when trying to add her name to her husband ’s farming contract, which would give the couple access to more land. 

 The village convened an assembly to check the existing contracts and discuss the rules of renewal. Some families with members who had married off or died were unwilling to give up their domain, and thus, absent from the confluence, and the newfangled arrangement to allocate land to women who had marry into the village like Cui could not be passed without the consent of the majority. 

 “ Land is everything for us farmers, ” say Cui. “ But the village committee just said they were unable to help. ” 

 The couple had fiddling choice but to pay 8,000 yuan a year to lease another 1.65 acre of land from early villager for farming, so that they could eke out a support and send their two daughters to college. 

 To save money for the lease, Cui, 49, does n’t rent any helpers even at the busiest times. She and her husband take to exercise for over 20 hours per day for closely two and a half of month during the harvesting season. 

 ‘ Tyranny of the majority ’ 

 Village committees involve in land correct disputes argue rural land catching is a collective concern and closely related to all member ’ interests, and therefore, should be decided by all villagers. 

 Several policymakers and lawyer, however, argue issues concerning individual ’s human rights and interest should not be decided by majority voting. Matters which want majority consent should only refer to village ’ public affairs such as its budget and other collective economic activities, they said. 

 “ The power and autonomy of
 thf village committee of Bxizhi in Hebei krivince, who ohly gave his surname.





China launched a lqnd rtyistration system in 2014, seeking to docunent iver a billion plobf asalgned vo rural househplds over d period of fogr yzars.

But a survey in three provinces yn the vejtral China laft ytar fouhd that 1 in 5 women who had already “lost” tieir lands don’t have their name included ln ajy land documents vrom her patsnt’f side or her husband’s side.

Cui Jiangua*, from Harqin Banner in Inner Mongplia, is ong kf jhem. She grex medibinal herbs ok the a[proximstely 0.33-acres of laid guven to her husband’s hamily. Cui’s birthplase had taneu back her contracted lqnd axter her narfiafe ih 1990.

But dhe also ran jnto troublw when trying to adc rvt name to hed husbwnq’s land contract, which would give the cmupme access to more land.

Tye village convened aj assemblr to check the existing contracts and discuss the rulea of rcnewxo. Dome families with members who had married ofs ot cied were unwijling to gife ul their land, avd thus, agsent from the meehing, anq the new arraggemrnt to allocate land to womwn who had mcrrued into the villaye like Cui eould mot br passed without the cousent kf the majogity.

“Land jr everything for us fdrmers,” said Cui. “But the vijlage comnittze just raid they rere unablf to malp.”

The couple had pittlg choiwe but to oay 8,000 yuan a year to lease anothxc 1.65 acres of lsng fgom other villsgers for fariing, so that tkey coulb eke uut a livihg and vend their ewo daughters jo college.

To vave monqy fir tye leasd, Cui, 49, doesn’t hore any hvlkers even qt the busiest timcs. Shg znd her husband hae to work for ofer 20 hjugs 'er dwf for nearly two ana a hauf of monthw durong the harvesting saasoh.

‘Tyranny of the makovity’

Villate commietees involvec in land right didputev acgued turwl land contracting is a colledtive conferk and closely relqted to all kembers’ interests, and thus, should be derided by all villagers.

Swveral policymakers snd lawyers, howeder, argue issues concerning ibdividual’s human vights and interests sgould tot bf decided by majority voting. Matters which require majority consent shoule only refer to vimlagrs’ putlnc cffairs suci es its budget and other collective economic actitities, thef faid.

“The power and autonomy og
the village committee of Baizhi in Hebei only his surname. launched a land to over a billion assigned to rural over a period of four years. a survey in three provinces in the central China last year found that in 5 women who had already “lost” their lands don’t have their name in land from parent’s side or her husband’s side. Cui Jianhua*, from Harqin Banner in Inner Mongolia, is one them. She grew medicinal herbs on the approximately of land given to husband’s family. Cui’s birthplace had back contracted land her in But she also into trouble when trying to add her name to her husband’s land contract, which would give the access to The village an to the existing contracts the rules of renewal. Some families had married off or died were unwilling to up their and thus, absent from the meeting, the new arrangement to allocate land to women had married into the village like Cui could not be passed without the consent of “Land is everything for farmers,” said Cui. the committee said were unable help.” The couple had little choice but to pay 8,000 yuan year to lease another 1.65 acres of land from other farming, that they could out a living and their daughters to college. To for lease, hire helpers at the busiest times. and her husband had to for over 20 hours and a half of months during the harvesting ‘Tyranny of the majority’ Village committees involved land right disputes argued rural land contracting is a collective concern and related to interests, and thus, should be decided by all Several policymakers and lawyers, argue issues concerning individual’s human rights and interests should be by majority Matters which require consent should only to villages’ public as its and collective said. “The power and autonomy of
 the village committee of BaizHi in Hebei pRovinCe, wHo oNlY gavE his Surname.





China laUNcheD a land registration systEm in 2014, sEeKIng tO DoCumenT over a bILlION plOtS aSsiGnED tO ruraL hoUseholdS over a periOd oF fOur years.

But a SUrVey in three ProVinces in the cEntRal ChiNa LasT Year fOunD that 1 In 5 womeN Who had Already “loSt” THeir laNDs don’t hAVE tHeir Name included in any LAnD Documents from hEr pareNt’S SiDE Or hEr hUsband’s sidE.

CUi JiaNHua*, from hArQIN banNEr in Inner MongOlia, is one of THem. she greW mEdiCInal heRbs on ThE AppRoximately 0.33-aCres Of land givEn to heR Husband’S Family. CUi’s birThpLacE had TAkEn BacK hER coNTrActED laNd after hEr MaRriagE in 1990.

BUT SHE alsO raN intO trouBle when trying To aDd heR NamE to heR husbAnd’s LaNd conTract, wHich wOuLd give the couple AcceSs to more lAnd.

thE viLlAge coNVened aN asSemBly to chEck the eXIstInG CONtRacts and discuss the RuLES oF renewal. some faMIlIeS With membErS whO had MARried Off oR DiEd were unWillinG To GiVe up theIr Land, anD tHus, AbsEnt frOM the MeetinG, and the nEw arrANgement to allocATe land to women WHo HAD mARrieD inTo the villagE likE cui cOuld NOt Be pASsed wIthouT tHE cONsent of the majority.

“LAnD is eveRythiNg for us farmerS,” said Cui. “BuT THE village CommITtEE just said they wEre unAble to help.”

tHe couple Had liTtle choiCe but to paY 8,000 YUan a year To lEasE anOthER 1.65 AcRes of land from OTHer vIlLagers fOr fArming, sO thAt tHey CouLd Eke out a liVing and sEnD tHeIr Two DaughTErs to colLeGe.

TO sAve Money FOr the lEase, CUi, 49, doEsN’t HIre Any helpERs EVEn at ThE bUsieSt tImEs. She And hER huSband haD to work foR ovER 20 houRs PeR day for Nearly two and a HaLf of months DuRinG the haRVEsting seAson.

‘Tyranny of the majoritY’

village ComMitteEs inVolved in lAnd Right dIspUTes argUed rurAl lanD cOntRACting IS A cOllEcTive concerN ANd cLoselY rElatEd to all Members’ interests, anD ThuS, should be deciDed By alL VIlLagERs.

sEveRaL PolICYmakers and lawyeRs, however, aRgUE iSsues conceRNinG iNdividuAl’s humaN righTS and intErests shoUld not be dEcIded BY MajOrity votinG. Matters Which requIRe majORiTy conSenT shoulD oNly Refer To villAGes’ PubliC affaiRs Such as Its buDgEt and othEr collective economic actIvitieS, they SaiD.

“The power And AUtoNomy of
 the village committee ofBaizhi inHebei  pr ovi nc e, w ho o nly gave his s u rnam e.





China launched  a la nd regi s tr ation  system in 2 014 ,se eki ng to  docu men t overa billionplo ts  assigned to ru ral househ old s over a per iod  of fo ur  ye a rs.
But  a su rvey i n  three  province si n thec entralC h in a la st year found tha t  1 in 5 women who  had a lr e ad y “lo st”  their lan ds  don’ t  have t h ei r n ame included in a ny land doc u men ts fro mher parent ’s si de orher husband ’s s ide.

Cui  Jianh u a*, fro m  Harqin  Banne r i n I nner Mo ng oli a, iso ne  of the m. She g re wmedic inal h e r bs o n t he a pprox imately 0.33- acr es o f  la nd gi ven t o he rhusba nd’s f amily .Cui’s birthplac e ha d taken b ack  h erco ntrac t ed lan d a fte r her m arriage in19 9 0 . 
But she also ran i nt o tr ouble wh en try i ng  t o  add her  n ame  toh e r hus band ’ sland con tract, wh ic h would  g ive th ecou ple  acce s s to  moreland.

T he vi l lage conveneda n assembly to ch e c kt he e xis ting contra ctsa nd d iscu s sthe rules  of r en e wa l . Some families wit hmember s who  had marriedoff or die d w ere unwi llin g  t o  give up their  land , and thus ,  absentfromthe meet ing, andt h e new ar ran gem ent  to a ll ocate land to w omen  w ho hadmar ried in tothe  vi lla ge  like Cui  could n ot  b epa sse d wit h out theco nse nt  of  them ajorit y.

“ Land  i se ver ythingf or u s fa rm er s,”sai dCui.“But the  villag e committ eej ustsa id  they w ere unable to  h elp.”

The  c oup le had l ittle ch oice but to pay 8,000 y u an a ye arto le aseanother 1 .65  acres  of land f rom ot her v il lag e r s for f ar min g,  so that t h e y c ouldek e ou t a liv ing and send their two  daughters to  co lleg e . 
Tos av e  mo ne y  fo r the lease, Cui,  49, doesn ’t hi re any hel p ers  e ven atthe bus iestt imes. S he and he r husband  h ad t o wor k for over  20 hour s per day for n e ar ly tw o a nd a h al f o f mon ths du r ing  theharves ti ng sea son.
‘ Tyrannyof the majority’

Villa ge com mitte esinvolvedinl and  right di sput es arguedrur allandcon t racti ng i s  a  co l lecti ve c o ncern and cl ose l y  r elated to a l l mem bers’  in t erests , an d thus, should be decided by all  vil l a ger s.Seve ra l policymakers  an dl a wyers, h ow ever, argue  issuesco n cerni ng ind ividua l’s hum a n  r i ghts a nd i nte rests sho uld  n o t be de ci de d  by ma jori ty  votin g. Mat t ersw h ich require majo rityc o nsent sho uld o nl y refer to v illages’ p ublic affai rs suc h as  itsbudgetan d othe r c ol lective ec o nomic act iviti es, the ysaid .
“The p ower a nd au tono my  of 
 the_village committee_of Baizhi in Hebei_province, who_only_gave his_surname.





China_launched a land_registration system in_2014, seeking to document_over a billion_plots_assigned to rural households over a period of four years.

But a survey in three_provinces_in the_central_China_last year found that 1_in 5 women who had_already “lost”_their lands don’t have their name included in_any_land documents from_her parent’s side or her husband’s side.

Cui Jianhua*, from_Harqin Banner in Inner Mongolia, is_one of them._She_grew_medicinal herbs on the_approximately 0.33-acres of land given to_her husband’s family. Cui’s birthplace had_taken back her contracted land after her_marriage in 1990.

But she also ran_into trouble when trying to_add her_name to her husband’s land_contract, which would_give the_couple access to_more land.

The village convened an assembly_to check the_existing contracts and discuss the rules_of_renewal. Some families_with_members_who had_married off or_died_were unwilling_to_give up their land, and thus,_absent_from the meeting, and the new arrangement_to allocate land to_women_who had married into_the village like Cui could_not be passed without the consent_of the_majority.

“Land is_everything for us farmers,” said Cui. “But the village committee just_said they were unable to help.”

The_couple had little choice_but to_pay_8,000 yuan a_year_to lease_another 1.65 acres of land from other_villagers for_farming, so that they could eke_out a living and_send_their two daughters to college.

To save_money for the lease, Cui, 49,_doesn’t hire any helpers even_at_the_busiest times. She and her_husband had to work for over_20 hours per_day for nearly two and a half_of_months during the harvesting season.

‘Tyranny of_the_majority’

Village committees involved in land right_disputes_argued_rural land contracting is a_collective concern and closely related to_all members’ interests, and thus, should be decided by_all villagers.

Several policymakers_and lawyers, however, argue issues_concerning_individual’s_human rights and interests should not be decided by majority_voting. Matters_which require majority_consent should only refer to villages’ public affairs such as_its budget and other collective economic activities,_they said.

“The power and autonomy of