China has achieved remarkable progress in wetland conservation, maintaining its total wetland area above 56.35 million hectares. According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the country has implemented over 3,700 protection and restoration projects, adding or restoring more than 1 million hectares of wetlands.
These efforts have led to the establishment of more than 2,200 wetland nature reserves, significantly improving the ecological conditions of key wetland areas. In recent years, China has strengthened its legal framework for wetland protection and conducted comprehensive monitoring of forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
A special focus has been placed on mangrove conservation and restoration. Over the past five years, China has added 8,800 hectares and restored 8,200 hectares of mangroves. The country’s total mangrove area now stands at 30,300 hectares—an increase of 8,300 hectares since the early 2000s—making it one of the few countries in the world to achieve a net gain in mangrove forests.
China has also made significant progress in preventing invasive species from threatening wetland ecosystems. By the end of 2022, the country had controlled Spartina alterniflora across 73,300 hectares, completing 89.4% of its target and successfully curbing its uncontrolled spread.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China’s national wetland park system. Over the past two decades, 903 national wetland parks have been created, protecting 2.4 million hectares of wetlands and contributing over 50 billion yuan (about $7.0 billion) to regional economic growth. Approximately 90% of these parks are open to the public free of charge.
As the world celebrates the 29th World Wetlands Day with the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” China’s efforts highlight the crucial role of wetland conservation in achieving a sustainable future.
