China's World Natural Heritage Sites Achieve Notable Conservation Gains
China has made significant strides in protecting its world natural heritage sites, with 90% receiving excellent or good conservation ratings from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, far surpassing global and regional averages. As home to 15 natural and four mixed cultural-natural heritage sites—the most of any country—China is leveraging a national park-based protected area system and nature-based restoration to safeguard ecosystems spanning over 80,000 square kilometers. The country is also promoting green industries like ecotourism and under-forest economy to benefit local communities. Future plans include integrating heritage sites into a unified monitoring framework for more standardized and high-level management.
China has made remarkable progress in the conservation of its world natural heritage sites, achieving conservation ratings that significantly exceed global and regional averages, according to recent assessments by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As the country marks its annual Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration has highlighted the strengthened scientific, systematic, and holistic protection measures that have driven these improvements.
China's leadership in world natural heritage is underscored by its possession of 15 world natural heritage sites and four mixed cultural-natural heritage sites, the highest number globally. These sites span over 80,000 square kilometers across 20 provincial-level regions, encompassing a diverse range of ecosystems from mountains and forests to wetlands, deserts, and coastlines. The IUCN's assessments reveal that 90% of China's heritage sites received excellent or good overall ratings, compared to the global average of 61% and the Asian average of 68%, reflecting the effectiveness of the country's conservation strategies.
In recent years, China has intensified its conservation efforts through a protected area system centered on national parks. Over 80% of the heritage sites have undergone nature-based restoration, which has been crucial in preserving the authenticity and integrity of their ecosystems. Beyond ecological protection, the country has expanded channels to benefit local communities by developing green industries such as ecotourism, nature-based study tours, and the under-forest economy. These initiatives provide sustainable economic opportunities while aligning with conservation goals.
Looking ahead, China plans to incorporate its world natural heritage sites into the monitoring framework of protected areas, ensuring coordinated protection and development. The administration also aims to establish and improve management systems and mechanisms for natural heritage protection, targeting standardized and high-level management. These efforts, as reported by CGTN, signal a long-term commitment to preserving China's natural treasures for future generations.
