A patch of China's state-owned forest has received authentication from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a sign that China's public forests have for the first time received recognition from the global market.

The forest, covering 425,358 hectares and located in northeast China, is Asia's largest piece to date that has received authentication from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) under WWF, aid Zhu Chunquan, an official with WWF, in Beijing Tuesday.

Before this, only two forests, with an area of 6,177 hectares, from south China were given FSC authentications.

The FSC authentication system is a world leading one which takes into account 10 principles and 56 standards to judge if a forest is developed in a sustainable way. It attaches special tags to the products of forests with authentication to guide buyers.

"The authentication work will help promote the links between Chinese forests and world markets and the sustainable operation of the forest sector," said Zhu.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2005)