KUNMING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government announced on Monday a package of land management measures to strengthen macroeconomic control and cool down the economy.

    Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said that China will intensify its efforts to stamp out illegal land use.

    A nationwide campaign is set to be launched to punish local officials who approve illegal construction and industrial projects and transfer land use rights at a low price.

    China's economy grew 10.9 percent in the first half of the year, largely driven by excessive use of land for industrial projects and abundant credit loans.

    China's leaders have warned of possible overheating and have emphasized the tightening of land management and bank loans in the second half of the year to rein in economic growth.

    Zeng said at the meeting that charges will be increased for newly-added construction land and taxation on the use of land will be raised.

    Previously controlled by local land departments, land transfer revenues will become part of the local government budget.

    The central government will also hold officials of provincial-level governments responsible for farmland protection within their jurisdictions, said Zeng. Enditem