Analysis of Cultivated Land Quality Protection Policy in China Based on the Content Analysis Method

Analyzing the evolution of cultivated land quality protection policy in China is crucial for refining its frameworks and constructing a “trinity” system integrating quantity, quality, and ecological sustainability. This study employs content analysis to systematically trace the evolutionary patterns of such policies, based on a review of 200 national and local policy documents issued between 1986 and 2014. The results reveal the following: (1) Policy development has occurred in five distinct stages: embryonic, practical exploration, system construction, in-depth transformation, and comprehensive upgrading. The policy system is now maturing toward an integrated “trinity” protection mechanism. Accordingly, governmental priorities have shifted from emphasizing subsistence benefits to prioritizing ecological benefits. (2) Despite a multifaceted policy framework, effectiveness is hindered by the absence of binding national legislation, which remains in the drafting phase. This gap has resulted in fragmented implementation, inconsistent regional standards, and limited policy efficacy. (3) To strengthen the system, we propose three optimization pathways: elevating the legislative hierarchy for robust legal safeguards, implementing zoning-based control mechanisms for targeted governance, and refining interest linkage policies to enhance stakeholder coordination. Furthermore, by constructing a policy orientation index, we quantify the distinct shift from quantity control towards quality and ecological priorities. The study links this discursive evolution to land governance challenges, arguing that policy fragmentation and weak legal binding may undermine land value stability and long-term investment. Our findings extend beyond descriptive policy history, offering a framework for assessing how policy discourse translates into tangible land system outcomes.