Population growth,ecological degradation and construction in the western region of China

China's most serious ecological crisis seems to be in its western region where the ecological environment is the weakest. This paper analyzes the population growth, underdevelopment and ecological degradation in western China based on a conceptual framework of population, development and ecological system. The existing problems of underdevelopment and ecological degradation are examined. The on‐going ecological construction projects in western China are used to illustrate how the state has attempted to mediate the conflict between survival and ecological conservation.