China plans to restore 1.4 million hectares of wetlands and put 90 percent of its total wetlands, covering 6.6 million hectares, under effective protection by 2030, according to the State Forestry Administration.

The Project Plan for National Wetlands Protection, newly approved by the State Council, requires the realization of the sustainable use of wetlands, which are important for the conservation of biological diversity and for sustaining life through ecological and hydrological functions.

The plan defines eight categories of protection zones for wetlands across the country with adjustments for local conditions.

Under the plan, the government will set up 53 national demonstration zones for wetland protection and use, increase the total number of national wetland reserves to 713 and designate 80 wetlands of international importance.

China will also establish an improved system for integrating laws, policies and scientific research on wetland protection, administration and use.

To date, 40 percent of the natural wetlands of the country have been protected while 21 wetlands of international importance were designated by the Convention on Wetlands. 

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)