Honourable Chairman, Council Members, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I'm very glad to have this opportunity to be present at the Fourth Meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development to discuss with you the important issues of global concern, environment and development. I will brief the meeting on the implementation of China's Agenda 21 and relevant international conventions. Through this presentation, I hope to raise awareness and increase support of China's forestry development.
I. Implementation of China's Agenda 21
The forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21 was formulated with a multifold purpose, It was designed to implement the sustainable function of forestry in promoting development and environmental optimization, provide impetus to the sustainable development of forestry, and bring forward the goals set out by the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development ( UNCED ) .I would like to brief you on the necessity for this Plan, its contents, and the means by which the Plan is implemented.
A. Necessity for Formulating the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21
Forestry is not only an important primary industry, but also an important social welfare undertaking, capable of optimizing the environment and promoting development. It is capable of linking development with the environment and plays an irreplaceable role in the realization of sustainable development.
The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to forestry development, IN 1981, the fourth session of the Fifth National People's Congress adopted the Carrying out the National Compulsory Tree-Planting Campaign Resolution which stipulated that every citizen of the designated age shall plant three to five trees every year. Since 1982, around four billion person-times have been involved in this compulsory tree-planting across China, with 20.5 billion trees planted. In recent yeas, China has maintained the promising trend of planting five million hectares of land and closing up three million hectares of mountainous areas for natural regeneration. At present, China's established plantation exceeds 34 million hectares, which ranks it first in the world in this domain.
The first and second phases of the Three-North Shelterbelt Development Programme have been completed and over 13 million hectares of plantations have been established over the course of 16 years. The Upper and Middle Reaches of the Yangtze Conservation Forest Development Programme has established 5.46 million hectares of forest which has brought water and soil erosion in about 100 counties under preliminary control. Under the Coastal Shelterbelt Programme, a 15,000 kilometre-long forest shelterbelt has been set up along China's 18,000 kilometre coastline, The Plain Afforestation Programme has afforested 724 countries, which represent 78 % of a total of 918 plain and semi-plain counties. Under the Taihang Mountain Afforestation Programme, 1.88 million hectares of plantations have been established .The National Programme to Combat Desertification has controlled and improved over 2.2 million hectares of desertified land. Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Anhui, jiangxi, Shandong, Guangxi, Hubei and Zhejiang provinces or autonomous regions have afforested suitable barren hills. The establishment of 518 forest and wildlife nature reserves now cover an area of over 51 million hectares, or 5.34% o f China's total land area. China has also established 640 forest parks. According to the Fourth National Forest Resource Inventory (1989-1993), China's total forest area is 133.7 million hectares, with a forest cover of 13.92%, and a total stock volume of 11.785 billion cubic metres. While the world's total forest resources are on the decline, China has achieved dual increases in both forest area and stock volume.
Despite all these achievements, however, we realize clearly that China is a country deficient in forest resources, Many ecological and environmental problems exist in China, such as serious shortages in total forest resources, water and soil erosion deficiencies, land desertification, lack of water resources, and frequent flood, drought, storm and heat calamities, The development of forest resources is still far form able to satisfy the demands of national economic development and environmental improvement. What is worth noticing is that the huge population base figure and its continuous growth have placed great pressure on China' s forests and that it will take the persistent efforts of several generations to relieve this pressure. This has created the inevitable choice for us to formulate and implement the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21 and follow the path of sustainable forestry development.
B. The Formulation of the Forestry Action Plan for China's AGENDA 21
In line with the State Council's Document No. 37 ［1994］, the Ministry of Forestry formed the Leading Group for the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21 in June, 1994, On the basis of Agenda 21, the non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation, and sustainable development for all types of forests, and China's own Agenda 21, the Plan was formulated after over 6 months effort by more than 40 experts and the assistance of both the State Planning Commission and the Sate Science and Technology Commission.
In the process of the formulation, several symposia and discussions were organized with the participation of senior experts. Acknowledging the comments of experts from various fields, further amendments and improvements were made on the Plan, This was followed by a special report to the Environment and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress, soliciting their comments. On March 21, 1995, the fifth meeting of the third Environmental Protection Committee of the State Council reviewed and adopted the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21. On May 10, 1995,the Information Office of the State Council held a news conference officially announcing this important plan for China's forestry sector.
C. Main Contents of the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21
Part One defines the overall strategy and targets of sustainable forestry development. The objectives of sustainable forestry development are to meet the demands of the present generation and avoid threats to the demands of future generations, and the integration of the ecological, economic, and social benefits of the forest. Based on the premise that the sustainable forestry development must reflect sustainable economic development as follows:
By the early 21st century: Lay a foundation for establishing a relatively complete forest ecosystem and a relatively advanced system of forestry-related industries.
By the early 21st century: Establish a relatively complete forest ecosystem and a relatively advanced system of forestry-related industries. Establish modern forestry management and socialised service systems.
Goal: By the year 2000,the national forest cover and the standing stock volume will reach between 15% and 16% and 12.66 cubic metres, respectively.
Part Two describes the key areas of sustainable forestry development and actions of high priority. The three identified high priorities are the strengthening of the establishment, conservation, and management of forest resources, the improvement of the quality of forest resources, and the initiation of ecological shelter belt development programmes, new shelterbelt systems are being set up along the middle reaches of the Yellow, Haibe, Pearl and Liaohe Rivers, as well as at Taihu Lake. These new systems constitute a farmland shelterbelt network in plains areas, safeguarding sustainable agricultural development.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification has been implemented to foster the development of the National Programme to Combat Desertification and to effectively halt further expansion of desertified land. Another benefit of this programme is the establishment of a desertification monitoring and forecasting system.
Inventory and monitoring systems for China's forest biodiversity and wild fauns and flora will be established. A protection network and gene banks for rare and endangered wild flora and fauna are being planned. These projects will strengthen the conservation of biodiversity in flora and fauna in forests and wetlands, Scientific research will be intensified toward the goals of better protection and rational utilization of wetland resources. A complete management system for nature reserves is expected to be established and upgraded.
The National 87 Poverty Alleviation Programme will be implemented in order to pomote forestry oriented comprehensive development, It will also alleviate poverty through the development of mountainous and sandy areas.
Integrated plans and policies for the forest products industry will be drafted to hasten the introduction and application of high and new technologies. Further research on technologies for the comprehensive utilization of forest resources will be conducted. The production of pollution-free production will be encouraged to promote the development of the forest products industry and the full utilization of forest resources.
Public participation is encouraged to drive the development of the forestry. Efforts are also being made to promote tree seed and seedling production, forest fire prevention, and disease and pest control. Forestry law enforcement organs will be set up and the forestry information system will be upgraded. Research and assessment on monitoring technologies and standards for the forestry ecosystem will be undertaken.
Part Three describes the groundwork required for the implementation of sustainable forestry development, and will see favourable forestry and economic policies formulated and implemented. Forestry related economic and legal systems, as well as a specialized value accounting system for forest resources will be set up to me et the requirements of a socialist market economy.
Science, technology, and education budgets will increase in order to fund addition al research on basic forestry science and applied technologies, improve forestry education and train occupational and professional personnel.
Diversified investment in forestry will be encouraged to pool available funds for forestry development and the market mechanism will be fully employed for alleviating the problem of fund shortages.
International forestry cooperation and exchange will be strengthened as a means to speed up reform and the opening to the outside world. Advanced technology and funding will be introduced from overseas to vigorously implement the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda China's Agenda 21
The Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda21 is a key document guiding China's forestry development. The following measures will be taken to push forward the Plan's implementation:
1.Staff in the forestry sector will be organized to review the Plan.
Training courses will be conducted on different levels to promote a better under standing of the importance of sustainable forestry development.
2.The Plan's role as a guiding document will have significance in drawing up the Ninth Five-Year Plan for Forestry and the long term plan for forestry development to the year 2010.
3.A priority plan for projects will be established. These projects will be integrated into the national forestry development plan.
4.Favourable economic policies and laws will be drafted and implemented to intensify reform and promote natural resource conservation and utilization.
5.Publicity will be increased and priority given to forestry. Social participation in forestry will be encouraged in a bid to further develop the national compulsory tree planting campaign.
6.International cooperation will be promoted to introduce advanced technology and funds from overseas to assist China's sustainable forestry development.
Ⅱ.Information on the Implementation of International Conventions
Commitment to the implementation of international conventions and the enhancement of natural resource protection are the mutual responsibilities of signatories. The Chinese Government has for many years attached great importance to and made great efforts toward the implementation of international conventions. The following progress report describes China's implementation efforts of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats, and the Un Convention to Combat Desertification.
A. Implementation of CITES
China acceded to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1980 and has been fulfilling the obligations stipulated in the CITES with a high sense of responsibility and purpose.
1. Established and perfected laws and regulations for the protection of wild flora and fauna.
Since acceding to the CITES, China has announced laws, legislative and administrative rules and regulations which have provided a legal basis for effective protection of affected species. Some of the laws and documents are represented by the Forest Law, the Law for the Protection of Wild Animals, the Customs Law, the Conservation of Terrestrial Wildlife Regulation, the Protection of Aquatic Wildlife Regulation, the Key Wildlife under State Protection List, and the Red Book of Botany in China.
2. Strengthened law enforcement and management organs for the protection of wild fauna and flora; cracked down on illegal and criminal activities.
Special management departments and a nationwide administration have been set up for the protection of wild fauna and flora. Forestry public security organs, police and administrative departments are engaged in forestry and wildlife administration, law enforcement, and management. In order to undertake the management of the import and export of wild flora and fauna, the state has established the Administration Office for Import and Export of Endangered Species within the Ministry of Forestry and the Science Committee on Endangered Species at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
From the beginning of 1989 until the end of 1994, more than 60,000 illegal cases relating to wildlife were investigated and handled and 90,000 offenders were punished. In order to support the international community in its efforts to conserve tiger and rhinoceros species, the Notice on Banning the Trade in Rhinoceros Horns and Tiger Bones was issued by the State Council in May 1993. Several illegal cases relating to selling these articles were investigated and handled decisively.
3. Rescued actively endangered species and established nature reserves.
The Chinese government has made great efforts and allocated special funds to save rare and endangered wildlife species. These animals include the Giant Panda, the Crested Ibis, the Chinese Alligator, and the Hainan Eld's Deer. Rescue centres of different types and scales have been set up in Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, and Nanning. More than 300 kinds of endangered precious wild fauna and flora species have found shelter in 518 nature reserves that have been established for the conservation and protection of the forest ecosystem, wildlife, and wetlands. Endangered and rare flora are protected under these reserves as well. Programmes for habitat conservation and the rescue of rare and precious animals, including those mentioned above, have been developed, In order to conserve these species and assure the reproduction of endangered wild fauna and flora, China has set up over 400 reproduction bases and germ plasm resource banks for ex-situ conservation of rare plants.
4.Carried out scientific research, education, and training activities.
In order to conduct surveys on rare flora and fauna resources, research the ecological and biological habits of endangered species and conduct experiments in animal domestication and breeding, China has established endangered wildlife research institutes in northeastern, northwestern, and southern China, The National Bird Banding Centre and Wildlife Monitoring Centre in Beijing, as well as bird banding and monitoring stations in other parts of the country have also been founded. These institutes have achieved remarkable results.
To train more managerial personnel in wildlife conservation, a Wildlife Resource s Faculty has been established at Northeast Forestry University by the Ministry of Forestry. The Administrative Office for Import and Export of Endangered Species has had a long period of cooperation with the Secretariat of the CITES in con ducting training courses for related management. This has improved the professional level of large numbers of managers and raised their consciousness in the implementation of CITES.
5.Actively developed international cooperation for common efforts to protect wild fauna and flora resources.
Since acceding to CITES, China has successively joined the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats, and the International Convention for the Regulation of W haling. At the same time, China has also signed bilateral and multilateral agreements for the protection of wild fauna and flora, for example the Sino-Japanese Agreement for the Protection of Migratory Birds and the Sino-American Nature Conservation Protocol. This year China signed the Tiger Protection Protocol with India. China has effectively cooperated with international organizations on the protection of wild fauna and flora and engaged in serious crackdowns on poaching and the border trade in rare and endangered flora and fauna.
B. Implementation of the Ramsar Convention
China has done a great deal of fruitful work in wetland protection since the convening of the UNCED in 1992 and China's signing of the Ramsar Convention.
1.Established and completed the organizations for wetland protection and management, strengthened the cooperation and coordination among domestic departments.
The Chinese Government has further made clear the functions and obligations of each ministry and commission in the protection and management of wetlands. The Ministry of Forestry has clearly been designated as responsible for relevant issues concerning the implementation of the Ramsar Convention on behalf of the Chinese Government. The cooperation of many domestric departments within the ministrie s and commissions is required to implement the Ramsar Convention, wisely use wet land resources, and effectively protect the wetlands. In this regard, the Ministry of Forestry has specially sponsored China's Wetland Protection Workshop, involving ministries and commissions, colleges and institutes, and international organizations concerned.
2. Carried out resource inventory and scientific research on wetland protection and utilization.
Experts have been gathered from universities, colleges, and research institutes concerned to carry out comprehensive investigation and research. Achievements have been made in the areas of wetland classification, protection, resource monitoring, contamination prevention and ecological research, as will as in the field of wetland development and utilization. A programme for an inventory of wetland resources has been outlined which has guided research into wildlife resources, nature reserve development, and related social and economic situations.
3.Formulated the China Wetland Protection Action Plan.
The office of the coordinating group for China's wetland protection has organized multidisciplinary experts to draft the outline for the China Wetland Action Plan, Follow-up activities are now being carried out according to the Plan.
4. Increased construction and management of wetland nature reserves.
Wetland nature reserves established now total 130, with a total area if 37.52mill ion hectares effectively protecting wetland resources.
5. Raised the level of personnel training, with upgrades on wetland management and protection. Personnel from the field of wetland protection, management. and scientific research have been trained in Hong Kong at wetland protection courses run with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
6. Conducted publicity and education campaigns on wetland protection and utilization.
7. Cooperated extensively internationally.
In the course of the implementation of the Ramsar Convention, the Chinese Government has consistently expanded cooperation with relevant countries and international organizations, The protection and utilization of China's wetlands has been brought into the priority group of projects in Chin's Agenda 21, China has conducted long-term cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Asia Wetland Bureau (AWB),United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),International Union for Conservation of Native and Natural Resources (IUCN),the secretariat of the CITES(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), and other international organizations.
C. Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification
The Chinese Government attaches great importance to desertification control and participated fully in the inter-governmental negotiation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. This convention was signed in October 1994.The China National Committee for the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification was created to effectively implement this convention and fulfil related international obligations and responsibilities. In order to maximize its efficiency in achieving its goals, the Committee includes 16 ministries and comissions, including the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
1.Conducted legislative tasks on the Combat Desertification Law.
A draft of the Combat Desertification Law has been completed, and comments are being sought from provinces, municipalities, regions, and departments concerned. This has been done under the auspices of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs of the State Council and the Commission of Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee.
2.Commenced the National Programme to Combat Desertification.
This Programme has been defined as a major ecological programme, designed to integrate ecosystem improvement with the expansion of cultivated land and a consistent, stable high yield of industry, agriculture, and animal husbandry .The Programme also encompasses the improvement of living standards in sandy areas and the enhancement of overall socioeconomic development. A total of 2.244 million hectares of sandy area has been harnessed and developed since the inception of the Program me. Four hundred thousand hectares are harnessed through tree planting, 270,000 through aerial seeding, 1.24 million hectares have been enclosed for grass regeneration, and 104,000 hectares of sandy land have been transformed into farmland.
3.Compiled the Plan for Development of the National Programme to Combat Desertification
The Plan for the National Programme to Combat Desetification between 1991 and 2000 has been completed, taking into account the characteristics of China's desertification and its accompanying requirements for national desertification control. Plans are underway to harness and develop 7.185 million hectares of desertified land within the next ten years.
4.Desertification surveyed and monitored.
The Ministry of Forestry has set up a National Monitoring Centre for Desertification Control and prepared a handbook on standards for undertaking desertification surveys. The monitoring of dynamic trends of desertification has been in accord with these standards, and provided the basis for decision-making relating to leg ally based macro-management and sand control.
5.Conducted scientific research and academic exchanges on desertification control.
China has arranged special funding for research on desertification control technology and research centres, with active domestic and overseas cooperation and exchanges in these areas taking place.
The above is a brief introduction to the implementation of China's Agenda21 and relevant international conventions. We will do our best in the future to continue these important aspects of our work. Any comments and suggestions from Council members and experts are welcome.
Thank you.