ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the dominant forms of conflicts that arise from Protected Areas (PA) designation and management and how these conflicts formed and evolved. It discusses the status quo of the nature-based tourism industry and the evolution of tourism policies. The chapter presents the chronic problem of the lack of sufficient funding for PA management. Conflicts between different interests in PA designation and management have accumulated in China. The number of PAs has grown in China since the 1990s. However, the designation of PAs lacks sufficient funding and effective management. Therefore, the 'paper park syndrome' has emerged. Local governments consider this an indicator of economic development and thus approve quite a number of construction projects for golf courses. Because golf courses occupy a large amount of green land and need fresh water for daily maintenance, they have posed considerable threats to land and water protection.
