The Priority Programme for China's Agenda 21 consists of full-text program descriptions supporting China's economic and social development. The descriptions represent 69 programs covering legislation, policy, education, agriculture, environment, energy, transportation, regional development, population, health, and global change research. Each description includes project scope, background, objectives, activities, inputs, and benefits. This data set is produced in collaboration with the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN).