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This article analyzes the questions of implementation failure in environmental policy in China. Using empirical data collected in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, the article documents the environmental attitude of Guangzhou's Environmental Protection bureaucrats. In interpreting the data, the article seeks to assess and evaluate the present state of environmental administration in China. This article provides evidence that although China has made much progress in developing environmental legislation and a regulatory framework, the economic growth and devolution of power unleashed by reforms have also created new environmental stresses and, to some extent, reduced the regulatory capabilities of governments in China.

Issues concerning the introduction and implementation of environmental economic controls in the region of Guangzhou in China are discussed.

The factors that affect the enforcement of environmental regulations by local agencies are investigated by comparing the experiences in Delhi, India, Taipei, Taiwan, and Guangzhou, China. All three cities are situated in rapidly growing areas where they faced air, water and noise pollution problems produced by automobiles, industrial production and increasing populations. The results indicate that the commitment from the national government to local regulatory enforcement remains ineffective because of unfavorable conditions.