Even though China has created an administrative structure and regulatory programmes to curb pollution, environmental quality has continued to deteriorate. This study analyzes compliance with environmental programmes involving wastewater discharge standards, fees, and permits.

Even though China has created an administrative structure and regulatory programs to curb pollution, environmental quality has continued to deteriorate. Are polluters following the rules? And what factors affect the way regulators and polluters alike have responded to China's environmental controls? This thoroughly documented study examines these central questions by analyzing compliance with environmental programs involving wastewater discharge standards, fees, and permits.

Environmental costs of China's economic growth
programmes regulating industrial pollution
administrative structures and post-1978 economic reforms
organizations influencing industrial pollution control
informal rules of behaviour affecting compliance
programme design and compliance
enforcing environmental regulations
effects of profit, cost and ownership form on enterprises' response to regulations
comparing China with the United States.