Land degradation and reclamation governance in China’s drylands: The urgency for legal and regulatory reform

Abstract Land degradation in China’s dryland regions presents a significant challenge to ecological sustainability and socio-economic development. Despite existing frameworks such as the Land Administration Law and the Regulation on Land Reclamation, implementation is impeded by fragmented legal provisions, unclear responsibilities, weak enforcement and limited public participation. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive legal reforms, capitalizing on the opportunity provided by the drafting of the Ecological Environment Code. Key reforms include introducing criminal sanctions for non-compliance, clarifying stakeholder responsibilities and enhancing inter-agency coordination. Promoting increased involvement from both the public and private sectors is essential. Strengthening the legal framework will improve reclamation outcomes, support sustainable land management and facilitate ecological restoration, offering valuable lessons for global land reclamation efforts facing similar degradation challenges.