A forum on the construction of urban forests was held recently in Beijing. It was sponsored by the NPC committee of the environment and resources protection and the CPPCC committee of population, resources and environment. The sponsors also include the Chinese society of territorial economics, the Chinese forestry society and the magazine Chinese Land Today.

Leading members of the central administrations of forestry, the territorial land, environmental protection and construction, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and nearly 100 county or town magistrates attended the forum.

The forum endorsed a proposal to all the magistrates of Chinese counties and towns that urged them to take actions to promote the construction of forests in the city by means of employing proper public policy options and economic stimulation and improving the system. It hopes that there will be well over 45 percent coverage of trees and grass in most of the Chinese cities and towns.

(www.cenews.com.cn April 23, 2003)