Mysteries, Myths, and Misunderstandings: Ten Things That Every American Environmental Professional Should Know About China Before Engaging with the World’s Second-Largest Economy

Environmental Forum (March/April 2016)

8 Pages Posted: 29 Feb 2016 Last revised: 5 Mar 2016

Date Written: February 28, 2016

Abstract

For environmental lawyers and academics who have little China experience, many of the positive and negative environmental and legal developments are difficult to evaluate in context. China’s governance institutions and the rule of law are known to be weak. The system lacks transparency. Official government information is notoriously unreliable. And the system retains many characteristics derived from the socialist and civil law legal traditions. Yet, the stakes for gaining a better understanding of China’s environmental developments and governance issues are high. The description of these ten must-know items is intended to provide a set of reference points to make commonly encountered mysteries, myths and misunderstandings more intelligible for environmental lawyers and environmentalists alike.

Keywords: China Environmental Law

JEL Classification: K32, K33

Suggested Citation

Yang, Tseming, Mysteries, Myths, and Misunderstandings: Ten Things That Every American Environmental Professional Should Know About China Before Engaging with the World’s Second-Largest Economy (February 28, 2016). Environmental Forum (March/April 2016), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2688249

Tseming Yang (Contact Author)

Santa Clara Law School ( email )

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
United States
408-551-6037 (Phone)

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