ISLAMABAD: Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed importance of remaining steadfast in comprehensively deepening reform and expanding high-standard opening-up, besides taking lead in advancing Chinese modernisation.

During his inspection tour of Guangdong President Xi witnessed protection of mangrove forests at Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve, biggest single mangrove forest in China.

Calling mangrove forests national treasure, Xi said, “We should protect mangrove forests like we protect our eyes”, according to CGTN.

As country is advancing progress of ecological civilisation, protecting wetlands, including mangrove forests is increasingly in spotlight. According to official data released by Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources, about 55 percent of mangrove wetlands in China are under state protection, higher than world average of 25 percent. Data also shows that China’s mangrove forests have increased from 22,000 hectares in 2001 to 27,000 hectares, against backdrop of global shrinkage.

China will build an international mangrove center in Shenzhen, President Xi said in video speech at opening ceremony of 14th Meeting of the Conference of Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) last November.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 15 2023

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