China has made stable development in the area and quality of afforestation in the past five years, as global forest resources have generally decreased.
According to the State Forestry Administration, China has strengthened the protection of forests and curbed the occupation of woodlands.
Official statistics from last year show that local administrations at all levels have effectively supervised 85 percent of the country’s woodlands occupied by construction works.
The administrations have also punished 2.2 million cases involved in destroying forests, saving the country a direct economic loss of 1.7 billion yuan.
At present, China is still facing a degradation of forest coverage and quality, which is due to excessive deforestation.
Local administrations vow to further reinforce practices to limit deforestation and supervise the illegal activities of abusing woodlands.
(People’s Daily 05/20/2001)
