China plans to add 40 million ha. of forest within 10 years, proposes increased cooperation, other measures to improve forest development in Asia-Pacific region

Lorena Madrigal

LOS ANGELES , September 6, 2011 (Forestweb) – China plans to speed up its rate of developing its total forest area, aiming to add 40 million hectares (98.9 million acres) in 10 years, President Hu Jintao told the first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on forestry Tuesday, Xinhua reported Sept. 6.

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than half of the global forest area, said Hu in Beijing, and APEC cooperation in forestry has “huge potential,” reported Xinhua.

Hu proposed three measures to improve forest development: integrating forest development into general economic development plans; increasing regional forestry cooperation; and balancing diverse needs of industry and conservation.

China is poised to support green, sustainable growth, Hu said, and will continue helping APEC's developing members in those efforts through the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation, Xinhua reported.

The APEC summit included representatives of 21 APEC members and other organizations and Hu spoke at the opening ceremony. He added that China is aiming to boost its total inventory to 1.3 billion m3 by 2020, dating the forest increase from 2005.

The primary source of this article is Xinhua, Beijing, China, on Sept. 6, 2011.

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