China Approves Property Law, Strengthening Its Middle Class By JOSEPH KAHN Published: March 16, 2007 BEIJING, Friday, March 16 — After more than a quarter-century of market-oriented economic policies and record-setting growth, China on Friday enacted its first law to protect private property explicitly. The measure, which was delayed a year ago amid vocal opposition from resurgent socialist intellectuals and old-line, left-leaning members of the ruling Communist Party, is viewed by its supporters as building a new and more secure legal foundation for private entrepreneurs and the country’s urban middle-class home and car owners. But delays in pushing it through the Communist Party’s generally pliant legislative arm, the National People’s Congress , and a ban on news media discussion of the proposal, raise questions about the underlying intentions and the governing style of President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao , experts say. Despite a high level of interest among intellect