ABSTRACT
Scholars working on contemporary China enjoy the benefits of living in interesting times. China’s ongoing transition to a socialist market economy has affected social, political and economic life in ways that authors are only beginning to fully appreciate. The question of whether China should take care of its environment in the immediate term rather than wait until economic development goals have been fully achieved is no longer a viable option. China’s new development concept, xiaokang shehui (all-round well off society), announced in 2002, calls for harmonious development between man and nature. Integrating environmental concerns into development planning and implementation is now state policy. The re-direction of international environmental aid to western China offers an opportunity to advocate for reform. This imperative has become stronger in light of the fact that international aid to China is on the wane.
