Account 27% of total lands on earth, mountain regions are the water towers, very rich in natural, cultural and tourism resources, as well as bio-diversity. However, social and economic conditions in mountain regions are being underdeveloped and the residents are relatively poor. Therefore, sustainable mountain development is recognized as an urgent common strategy to the mankind and has been paid a great attention by the international communities. United Nations proclaimed in 1998 the year 2002 as the nternational Year of Mountains and invited the FAO as the lead agency for the year.

Mountain regions in China account 2/3 of total area, with great deal of potential industrial and agricultural resources, relatively low in economic development, fragile in geo-ecological environment and suffering multiplied natural hazards. Mountain development in China is most important at present and in future. Major target and problem of sustainable mountain development in China are of how to coordinate the accelerating economic development and protection of geo-ecosystems.

Chinese scientists paid a great attention to the research in mountain regions and have made a significant approaches in past 20 years in many aspects, such as in the integrated study on the Tibetan Plateau, mountain hazards and control, soil loss and control, slope use and protection, regional planning and nature conservation etc. Which provide a great contribution to sustainable mountain development in China.

Major approaches and planed works in mountain regions are reviewed, and some suggestions related to welcome the nternational Year of 2002 are raised in this paper.