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The development of the current regulatory framework for management of rangeland resources in China began in 1949. Prior to this, there were family, tribal and other traditional systems of grazing management. The emphasis in government policy since 1949 has been to increase livestock production and economic output from the rangelands. The operations of these policies and regulations in Sunan County, a typical rangeland county in Gansu Province, are examined. The existing laws, policies, and regulations related to rangeland management in Sunan County and elsewhere are identified and described. It is argued that a policy based on rational processes should lead to desired outcomes. Therefore, emphasis needs to be placed on processes that facilitate the development and implementation of policies at every level of government to promote sustainable use and management of natural resources and to secure sustainable livelihoods. It is concluded that the rangeland policies have been rarely integrated with the concept of sustainable development. This is now changing. Sustainable development philosophy needs to be further incorporated into the developmental processes for rangeland policies. Until now processes have focused predominantly on economic performance.