VILNIUS, Lithuania: China's giant panda habitat was included on the World Heritage List yesterday at the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC).

Another Chinese site applying for inclusion, the ruins of the Shang Dynasty capital in Anyang, Henan Province, is also due to be discussed by members.

After deliberation, the 30th session of the WHC unanimously agreed to include the giant panda habitat, making it the 35th Chinese site on the list.

"We greatly thank the Chinese Government for submitting such a good application to the WHC to enrich the World Heritage List," said the WHC.

"We greatly thank the Chinese Government for its tremendous effort to protect such a precious site of biodiversity."

Wang Fengwu, a member of the Chinese delegation at the meeting, told Chinese reporters that the decision would prompt effective protection of rare and endangered animals and plant species.

The giant panda habitat of Sichuan Province covers a 9,510-square-kilometre area including the world-renowned Wolong Nature Reserve,

China has spent 20 years trying to get the area included on the World Heritage List, said Wang, who is also deputy director-general of the Department of Urban Development at the Ministry of Construction.

The application topped a list of 37 proposed new sites vying for inclusion.

The giant panda habitat is home to at least 300 giant pandas and a variety of endangered flora.

The World Wildlife Fund's former China director James Harkness once said that the panda's territory contained some of the most critical regions for bio-diversity conservation in the world.

Source: China Daily