Five years after their establishment, China’s first five national parks are showing tangible gains in ecosystem restoration and wildlife conservation.
China’s first five national parks have made significant progress in ecological conservation since their official establishment in 2021, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced on the 12th.
Ecosystems Recover
An assessment found that 75 per cent of the indicators used to evaluate the parks’ ecological benefits were rated excellent, with key ecosystem services showing marked improvement.
Covering a combined area of approximately 230,000 square kilometres, the five parks—Sanjiangyuan, Giant Panda, Northeast China Tiger and Leopard, Hainan Tropical Rainforest, and Wuyishan—have consolidated more than 120 existing nature reserves and other protected areas. This has enabled more integrated and comprehensive protection of China’s most important ecological regions.
Over the past five years, the parks have restored habitats, reconnected wildlife corridors, and tightened controls on human activities. These efforts have strengthened local ecosystems and improved conditions for wildlife.
Over the past five years, the parks have stepped up efforts to restore habitats, reconnect wildlife corridors, and reduce human disturbance. These measures have helped ecosystems recover and improved conditions for wildlife.
Sanjiangyuan National Park, known as China’s “water tower”, has strengthened its capacity to conserve water. It supplies an average of 80 billion cubic meters of high-quality water to downstream regions each year. In the Giant Panda National Park, ecological corridors now connect 13 previously isolated local panda populations. This has greatly improved habitat connectivity.
The Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park has restored large areas of habitat and improved cross-border wildlife corridors. These efforts have made it easier for wild animals to move between China and neighbouring countries. In Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, stricter protection has helped preserve natural forests. Wuyishan National Park has also introduced a buyback scheme for commercial forests in key areas, bringing more woodland under ecological protection.
Wildlife Populations Grow
Over the past five years, conservation efforts have delivered notable results for flagship species.
In Sanjiangyuan, the Tibetan antelope population has recovered to more than 70,000. The number of wild Amur tigers in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park has risen from 27 to 72. The Amur leopard population has also grown substantially, from 42 to 115. In a remarkable sighting, cameras captured a wild tigress with five cubs.
The Hainan gibbon, one of the world’s most endangered primates, is also making a comeback. Its population has grown to 44 individuals across seven groups. It is now the only gibbon population in the world showing sustained growth. Meanwhile, the Giant Panda National Park protects more than 70 per cent of China’s wild giant pandas. Wuyishan National Park has also seen the discovery of several previously unknown species, underscoring its rich biodiversity.
The benefits of conservation extend beyond wildlife and ecosystems. The parks have created new job opportunities for residents through ecological management, compensation schemes, and the development of green industries. Nearly 50,000 local people have been hired as ecological rangers.
Looking ahead, China will continue to improve the quality of its national park system. It also plans to establish additional national parks in a measured and orderly manner.
Written by Sha Liu, charts created by Di Wang, additional reporting by CNS.
If you liked this article, why not read: China’s Next Stage | Pharmaceutical Innovation Makes Breakthroughs
