China News Agency, Wuhan, November 6 (Reporter Chen Su) The reporter learned from the press conference of the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) of the "Convention on Wetlands" on the 6th that China will build the world's first mangrove protection in Shenzhen. The "International Mangrove Center" for exchanges and cooperation carries out comprehensive technical exchanges, information sharing, monitoring and evaluation, and foreign aid training, and provides services and assistance to contracting states, especially developing countries.

  Mangroves are precious natural resources and unique ecosystems in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones. They play an extremely important role in purifying seawater, preventing wind and waves, maintaining biodiversity, and sequestering carbon and storing carbon.

According to the results of China's third national land survey, the mangrove area in the country is 27,100 hectares, which is one of the few countries in the world where the area of ​​mangroves has increased.

  In 2020, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China jointly issued the Special Action Plan for Mangrove Protection and Restoration (2020-2025) , proposed to build 9,050 hectares of mangroves and restore 9,750 hectares of existing mangroves by 2025.

One year after the implementation of the action plan, 2,878 hectares of mangroves have been newly planted in the five provinces and autonomous regions.

  Bao Daming said that in the next step, China will adhere to the priority of protection. On the basis of scientific assessment, most of the existing mangroves will be included in the ecological protection red line, strict protection will be implemented, and the construction of mangrove natural reserves will continue to be vigorously strengthened.

At present, about 55% of mangrove forests are included in various nature reserves.

  In addition, the tasks of mangrove protection and restoration are divided into counties and implemented to specific plots, and the completion of tasks is included in the assessment scope of the forest chief system.

Together with the natural resources department, according to 40% of the annual mangrove afforestation qualified area, the local area will be rewarded with the planned target of newly added construction land.

  Bao Daming introduced that at present, China has established a national innovation alliance for mangrove protection and restoration, and established a mangrove monitoring and evaluation center. In order to rely on it, we will carry out mangrove protection training on a global scale, and exchange and share successful cases and experiences of mangrove protection and restoration with all parties.

(Finish)