According to the sixth national investigation on forest resources completed recently, China's total forest area has reached 175 million hectares with a coverage rate of 18.21 percent. China also has maintained 53 million hectares of artificial forest, the largest amount in the world.

This is learned from Lei Jiafu, deputy director of State Forestry Administration, at a news conference held by State Council Information Office on January 18.

Compared to the result of the previous survey, China saw 15.9683 hectares more forest and the coverage rate up from 16.55 percent to 18.21 percent. Meanwhile, there has been a net increase of 889 million cubic meters of stock volume of forest with an annual average growth of 178 million cubic meters.

Sources say, the forests nationwide improved, trees grew faster on average, and there were pleasing changes in the structure of tree seeds, the proportion of shelter belts and forest for special purpose rose by 21 percentage points, the strategy of forestry development mainly based on eco-construction won initial success.

Lei added that currently domestic timber supply and demand is generally balanced and China is completely capable of meeting its own needs.

According to Xiao Xingwei, head of the department of forestry resources under the State Forestry Administration, timber import is normal and China also imports timber from other countries. But China's import is very little compared to its consumption, so it is impossible for China to -- and China would not -- satisfy its domestic market by relying on its neighbor countries.

As shown in China Forestry Report 2004 compiled by the national forestry authority, in 2003, China's total timber consumption and supply was 228.43 million cubic meters and 224.13 million respectively, in which the import of timber was 25.46 million cubic meters and the exported wood products were equivalent to 21.52 million cubic meters -- a basic balance between supply and demand.

Lei Jiafu said, in order to increase the aggregate of forest resources and improve their quality, China initiated six key projects including the protection of natural forest and concession of farmland to forest. In particular, the key regions kicked off in 2003 construction of bases of fast-growing forest in a bid to ease the structural conflict and shortage of timber supply.

The projects have played an important role in the conservation, development and rehabilitation of China's forest resources and boosted the nation's capability of timber supply. Now there are 1.585 billion cubic meters of timber forests suitable for lumbering, forests in middle-aged stand and nearly in mature stand have amounted to 5.671 billion cubic meters. In 2010, there will be over three billion cubic meters of such forests gradually growing mature, a sufficient stock laying a solid foundation for supply.

Lei said that the Chinese government will encourage timber consumers to raise the utility rate of timber, reduce waste and at the same time popularize alternatives and develop non-timber energy sources, reduce burning firewood to tap new sources of supply and reduce consumption.

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The six national survey during 1999 and 2003 by means of site investigation and monitoring by satellites, is China's first complete investigation on the forest resources on the mainland. It concerns the area, stock, structure, quality and distribution of forests, their growth, consumption and impacts on ecological environment.

By People's Daily Online