Coastal Zone Management in the People’s Republic of China –

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) forms a generally accepted concept to ensure sustainable development in the coastal zone. The implementation of the ICZM framework as formulated, e.g. by the World Coast Conference, is often constrained by the political system within it should be applied. This is the case in the People’s Republic of China. This study takes a theoretical political science approach to explain the relevant political structures, as well as the transformation of the socio-economic system and related political power distribution. Furthermore it is found, that even the adaptation of the successful local ICZM approach of Xiamen to other parts of the country is impossible without modifications. An important reason for this is the choice of ICZM issues and the local power distribution. It shows these are also the determining factors obstructing the upscaling of a local approach to the national level.