This paper provides a basis for understanding recent grassland polices in China and their backgrounds. First, the characteristics and importance of China's grasslands are described briefly. Next, the trends and causes of grassland degradation and desertification are presented. In the main part of the paper, recent key grassland policies and practices adopted by the Chinese government to overcome the environmental crisis are summarized. In conclusion, grassland construction and protection will become the main element of grassland practices over the long term, and grasslands will increasingly be managed more for environmental and ecological services rather than for livestock production.
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