Curbs on asset inquiries draw fire

Authorities in several cities have created regulations that prohibit real-name inquiries of residents' real estate assets, a move that worries experts and Internet users over possible adverse effects of anti-corruption efforts at the grassroots level.

A regulation issued on Saturday by the real estate asset registration authority in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, prohibited real-name inquiries of real estate information and would allow access only to the owner of the assets or prosecutors, police, courts, disciplinary watchdogs or securities regulators.

A similar regulation issued by the city government of Yancheng, Jiangsu province, which came into force on Jan 1, also prohibits inquiries of real estate assets of residents.