The purpose of this study are (1) to provide insights to the poverty problem in China

(2) to seek an understanding of the interactions among poverty, the environment, development strategies in China

and (3) to provide a basis for the formulation of improved regional and national developmental strategies and planning guidelines. This study has evaluated three government development strategies during the past four decades, and analyzed their serious environmental impact on poor areas. Five cases were selected from four of the poor areas, drawing on secondary data concerning deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, low income and other poverty indicators, which prove that past strategical mistakes were one important factor causing and exacerbating both ecological imbalance and poverty in poor area. Furthermore, some analysis concerned the on-going new strategies, which have negative effect to the fragile ecological system in poor areas.