The circular was based on investigations conducted by officials sent by the ministry in the three provinces of Hunan, Hubei and Zhejiang and Chongqing Municipality.

Investigators found that local land and resources departments have violated disciplinary laws.

Incomplete statistics show that in the past six years, local land and resources departments across the country were involved in 1,822 criminal or disciplinary cases, with 480 officials punished according to the law.

Many of the cases were uncovered in developed areas, mainly in the eastern and coastal provinces. Leading land officials were often implicated in the cases, abusing their powers to feather their own nests.

Previously, Zou Jiahua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has called on the country's township officials and village heads to study the land management law and to carry out their administrative duties according to law so as to better protect China's land resources.

Zou also urged different localities to map out their comprehensive plans on land management, so that they can protect the limited land resources.

He stressed that departments concerned should publicize the law and rely on the public to supervise administrative conduct, and thus the circular came into being.