China s National Geographic Information Strategy: Lessons Learnt from First Generation Initiators

摘要

This paper reviews the experiences of worldwide initiatives on their national geographic information strategies, and argues to introduce a five-stage model of GIS development in national/regional context. Based on the lessons learnt from the first generation NGISs, the author intends to evaluate the status of GIS development in China, and discusses some basic issues for China a strategic development of geographic information, such as data production and sharing, technological difficulties and application effectiveness. The author also raises several general questions for the understanding and constructing of China s geographic information strategy (NGIS).