Soil erosion continues to represent a major environmental issue in China. This paper considers some of the practical difficulties of assessing the severity of soil erosion in subtropical southern China, with particular reference to a case study in Fujian Province. The administration of soil and water conservation and procedures for erosion evaluation in an area of southern China are outlined. Although the hierarchy of bodies involved in soil conversation is impressive compared to other countries in subtropical environments, little is known about the dynamics of erosion, its impact on productivity or its contribution to sediment yields.