Ecosystem in most regions of China has characteristics that create potential for natural rehabilitation. The potential for natural rehabilitation has been demonstrated in theory and by experience. The guiding ideology of soil and water conservation should change from engineering intervention to dependence on ecosystem self-rehabilitation. There must be a positive change in thinking away from controlling valleys. The distribution and measure of efforts should agree more with natural ecosystem processes and serve to reduce negative disturbance of natural processes. Action should be taken with the intent to harmonize human activity with nature. To support these actions, many aspects of soil and water conservation require strengthening, such as prevention criteria, assessment index system and regionally specific key management techniques and measures.