This study of China blends historical documentation with contemporary assessment to determine the degree of human impact upon the country's vegetation, soils, water, air and wildlife. This introduces the development of environmental ideas as found in the ancient Chinese classics and traces the history of vegetation degradation. The pattern of land degradation is described with emphasis on soil erosion and desertification. Pollution, which increased dramatically throughout the 1980s, is analyzed employing national statistics and local examples; the various policies recently introduced for pollution control are assessed. Wildlife management is scrutinized largely through a discussion of the evolution of China's nature reserve network. Regional variation in degradation and protection is stressed throughout. Aiming to fill a gap in the literature on China's environment by providing a comprehensive assessment of China's environment as of the early 1990s, this book is designed as a reference, both for understanding the historical scope of environmental degradation and for assessing attempts to control environmental degradation since the 1980s.

This collection brings together a group of experts on Taiwan who attempt to analyze change on this dynamic island during the twentieth century. Thus, in contrast to many works on Taiwan, this collection reveals how important the Japanese colonial antecedents were to the formation of today's Taiwan and illuminates the complexity of the problems this island will face in the twenty-first century.

This book brings together some of the world's leading experts to discuss various techniques of management and amelioration of environmental problems. Individual chapters look at issues such as energy, agriculture, water shortages, pollution, health, and environmental business opportunities. While this book shows that there is lots of room for optimism, it also indicates that many environmental problems remain intractable and some are worsening.

Leading scholars in various fields give their views of development in the People's Republic of China since 1949, with emphasis on recent decades. After a broad overview of progress and setbacks, specific topics covered include national political reform, the Chinese Communist Party in power, the economy, rural reform, urban systems, the environment, foreign relations, the People's Liberation Army, the legal system, social welfare reform, intellectuals, art, and literature.

This book is a testament to the accomplishments of Republican studies during the 1980s and early 1990s. Leading scholars review many aspects of contemporary research on the Republican era, ranging from the influence of fascism on Chiang Kai-Shek to the transition from the Qing dynasty to the Republic. Relevant for all interested in the key period in China between Monarchy and Communism.