Abstract: Red soil hilly region in southern China is one of the regions with the most severe water and soil loss in China. Because of complex and unique natural conditions, the soil erosion characteristics and control measures in this region are very different from those in other regions. Among national standards for soil and water conservation techniques, there is no special technical standard for red soil hilly region in southern China. The promulgation and implementation of the Technical Standards for Comprehensive Control of Water and Soil Erosion in Red Soil Hilly Region in Southern China is of great practical significance. As a regulative document to guide the comprehensive control of water and soil erosion in this region, this standard is comprehensive, clear, scientific, practical, and is strongly operable. In order to help users to understand the standard, and to promote its implementation, this paper presents a detailed interpretation in terms of region definition, classification and gradation of soil erosion, regionalization of controlling work, countermeasures of water and soil erosion, measures configuration for different objects.

Key words: red soil hilly region in southern China, water and soil loss, comprehensive control, technical standards, interpretation