China has set up more than 1,270 nature reserves so far, covering some 12 percent of its territory, sources from China Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office revealed.

Meng Xianlin, deputy director of the organization, made the remarks Monday at a seminar on China's endangered species conservation here, according to Tuesday's China Daily report.

China is home to more than 100 species of rare animals and hundreds of rare plants peculiar only to China. China has some of the most abundant wildlife resources in the world.

Since China signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in 1980, it has taken strenuous efforts to protect rare wild animals and plants, which contributed to the dramatic increase in the amount of nature reserves, the Beijing-based newspaper quoted Meng as saying.

China has established an effective administrative system of wildlife conservation, which integrates a batch of relevant laws and regulations. The practice of using parts of rare animals as medicines is now forbidden.

A new rule to be introduced in May in Guangdong Province, south China, will impose fines from 1,000 yuan (US$ 120 ) to 10,000 yuan (US$ 1,200) to those found guilty of eating the meat of State-protected wild animals, China Daily reported.

In addition to the restrictions on diners, the new regulation also set clear rules on the protection, hunting, breeding and killing of wildlife.

The rule, part of the Guangdong Regulations on Protecting Wild Animals that was passed by local legislators Friday, makes it a legal responsibility to protect endangered animals.

(People’s Daily 04/04/2001)