The 2006 China Forest Tourism Expo is now being held in the city of Anshan, northeastern Liaoning Province from May 26 to June 2. It was organized by the Anshan city government.

 

The main sponsors of the event are the State Forestry Administration (SFA), the National Tourism Administration, the All-China Association of Industry and Commerce and Liaoning provincial government.

 

The Expo is aimed to boost the growth of forest tourism which is becoming an important part of China's tourist industry and improve the general public's awareness of forest protection issues.

 

According to a Chinanews' report on May 29, the eight-day event includes a range of interesting exhibits and got underway following an eye catching opening ceremony. There's a large exhibition devoted to national forest scenery resources, a forest tourism investment fair and a forum on the construction of forest parks and tourism development.

　　

Speaking at the Expo, the SFA's Deputy Director Zhu Lieke said that during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010), China would further promote the development of forest parks and natural reserves. The expansion of the forest tourism industry would be encouraged. By 2010 the country will have established 2,800 forest parks which would have the potential to attract 400 million visitors annually, Zhu said.

 

By the end of 2005, more than 1,900 forest parks covering a total area of 15 million hectares had been established. There are also 1,699 natural reserves covering 120 million hectares under the jurisdiction of the forestry administration. In addition, there are also designated areas for hunting, wild animal parks and wetland areas set aside for a range of recreational activities.

 

During the past five years (2001-2005), visitors to forest parks across the country numbered 640 million, 2.2 times the figure for the 1996-2000 period. This resulted in forest tourism generating an average annual income of 80 billion yuan (about US$10 billion). The industry annually provides employment for approximately 4 million people.

 

The Expo is held every two years. The first and the second such events were held respectively in Lin'an City of eastern Zhejiang Province and Baoji City, northwestern Shaanxi Province. 

 

Anshan, the third largest city of Liaoning with a population of more 3.47 million, boasts rich tourism resources with 48 percent of the region covered by forest.

 

(China.org.cn by Zhou Jing, May 31, 2006)