China's Environmental Issues, a Domestic Challenge with Regional and International Implications

Abstract

China and its population are confronted with fundamental environmental challenges, as both, environmental degeneration and the impact of climate change exhibit critical social, economic and political implications for their future development. Among the various environmental challenges China faces we can identify pollution issues, soil erosion, acid rain, and sea-level rise. This variety of environmental issues increases the underling complexity of how best to address these challenges, especially as China's growth strategy has the potential to exacerbate the negative impact on the environment. What's more, China's domestic environmental challenge also carries regional and global repercussions that could impact on its international relations. Consequently, how China's government addresses its domestic environmental issues holds serious implications not only for the livelihood of its citizens, but for China's regional and international relations as well.