Ecological Crisis of Forests in Northeast China in the Late Qing and State Response
Journal: Region - Educational Research and Reviews DOI: 10.32629/rerr.v8i1.4992
Abstract
In the late Qing, forests in Northeast China experienced a severe ecological crisis. Japan and Russia, via unequal treaties and forestry enterprises, secured extensive logging rights, accelerating resource depletion and sharply reducing forest cover. This led to soil erosion, ecological imbalance, and more frequent natural disasters. In response, the Qing government adjusted its exclusion policies, strengthened forestry regulation, and promoted afforestation and restoration to mitigate environmental degradation while defending sovereignty.
Keywords
Northeast China; forests; environmental history
Funding
"The Chinese Communist Party's Reporting and Propaganda on the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army during the War of Resistance—A Study Focusing on Party Newspapers and Periodicals" (Project No: YJSCX2025072).
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[3] Ji W. Timber taxation in the eastern provinces and proposed reforms[J]. Central-Eastern Economic Monthly, 1930, 6(8):47-52.
[4] The forests of Changbai are exhausted[N]. Yishi Bao, 1915-11-16: 6.
[5] Andong Chamber of Commerce. Timber of the Yalu River and Forestry Conditions in Manchuria[M]. Andong: Andong Chamber of Commerce, 1931: 33-34.
[6] Zhu SP. Donghua Records of the Guangxu Reign[M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1958: 3862-3864.
[7] Logging conditions in the upper Songhua river[N]. Shuntian Times, 1907-08-08: 4.
[8] Memorial on proposed measures for revitalizing forestry by the ministry of agriculture, industry, and commerce[N]. The Times, 1909-06-02: 9.
[9] Report on the survey of reclaimed land and forests in Jilin province submitted by Dai Hongci[N]. Jilin Gazette, 1909, No.28: 64-67.
[10] Dispatching personnel to map forests[N]. Shengjing Times, 1910-07-07: 5.
[11] Overview of forest areas in Jilin province[N]. Republican News, 1912-08-27: 7.
[12] Opening of the forestry bureau and its functions[N]. Jilin Gazette, 1907, No.36: 12.
[13] Encouraging the people to plant trees[N]. Shengjing Times, 1910-03-30: 5.
[14] Wang SN, Wu TS, Jin YF, et al. Fengtian Tongzhi[M]. Shenyang: Shenyang Old Books Press, 2004: 2770-2777.
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