TERRITORY PLANNING IN CHINA - A NEW REGIONAL APPROACH

Under Mao, China followed a Soviet-style development strategy based on industrial growth and under-urbanization. The regional dimension of s uch policy was largely shaped by defence considerations. The reforms o f the 1980s include territory planning-a new, more comprehensive appro ach to regional planning and development. The National Territory Plann ing Outlines are reviewed, and a case study of territory planning in S haanxi Province is used to illustrate the process of plan-making. Awar eness of this new approach and familiarity with the materials that it has produced is essential to an understanding of the contemporary Chin ese planning system and development process. Territory planning is int erpreted as an attempt to move towards a more market-based and decentr alized form of development planning, while still operating within the confines of a centrally planned socialist economy. Interesting feature s are the new emphasis on environmental protection and the acceptance of substantial urbanization.