The government reinforced its ban of the development of golf courses last year, having originally legislated in 2004 following concerns about land grabs of prime farming land. Finding illegally-built golf courses is at the top of the ministry’s agenda.
According to Beijing-based English-language newspaper the China Daily, the approval of a plan to build golf courses on the island province of Hainan, which aims to become a resort destination, does not mean other local governments can ignore the 2004 ban.
China Daily added a permanent membership at a golf course in Beijing costs between 300,000 yuan ($44,000) to 1 million yuan ($147,000).
