摘要
With rapid economic growth in China, many new regional development projects have emerged. Most regional development initiatives have incorporated regional environmental impact assessment (REIA) because of increased environmental awareness and the strengthening of environmental management. REIA is designed to consider the entire range of purposed social and economic actions in a region and their environmental impacts systematically. REIA can make up for project environmental impact assessment (EIA) deficiencies and can be a key step towards achieving sustainable development. Firstly, this paper reviewed the development of REIA in China in three aspects: theory, practice and legislation. Secondly, the basic contents of REIA are introduced in detail.In the comments on the research and practice of REIA, the following two issues are discussed: How to do REIA in China, and why the technology of total pollution control becomes the principal method of forecast and assessment in REIA. In the end, the paper points out the main problems of REIA in China, and puts forwards some advices for the development of REIA in future.