Some 400 exotic species invade China

A high-ranking official with the Ministry of Agriculture said in Beijing on Sep 19 that some 400 kinds of exotic species have invaded China in the past ten years, showing a tendency of large quantity, high frequency, widespread effects, aggravating situation as well as heavy economic losses.

Zhu Xiuyuan, chief economist with the Ministry of Agriculture said at an APEC international symposium on prevention and cure of foreign species and exotic pests opened on Sep 19 that more than 20 kinds of exotic species have invaded China in the past ten years, averagely 2 kinds annually. According to incomplete statistics, China suffers more than 57 billion yuan of annual economic losses caused by 11 kinds of major exotic species.

The chief economist said that China is one of the countries that have been greatly affected by exotic species. Currently there are totally 400 kinds of foreign species that have invaded China. Some 50 among 100 global most harmful exotic species announced by The World Conservation Union have been found in China.

Chinese government has attached great importance to the prevention and cure of exotic species. The Ministry has set up an office administrating the foreign species, called on local governments at various levels to wipe out exotic species such as crofton weed, ragweed as well as fire ants, and achieved remarkable results through mass prevention and mass treatment.

By People's Daily Online