China Focus: Chinese cities optimize home-buying policies with relaxed restrictions, trade-ins

BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Many Chinese cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Xi'an and Chengdu, have adjusted real estate policies, with measures such as eased purchase restrictions and the trade-ins of commercial housing, to further release the housing demand and promote the healthy development of the real estate market.

As the latest moves, Hangzhou and Xi'an on Thursday announced the full removal of earlier restrictions related to home purchases. Prospective buyers no longer need to meet pre-existing conditions, such as the local hukou (residence permit), local social security and the number of apartments each buyer is allowed to purchase.