Forestry Development and Environmental Protection in China Since 1980

Forest, as the main body of the terrestrial ecological system and the important natural resource on which the mankind relies for subsistence, not only can provide timber and other forest products, but also has the function of adjusting climate, conserving water and soil, wind-breaking and fixing sand, etc. It plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining the natural ecological environment. Since 1978, the opening and reform policy has been carried out in China, the Chinese economy has been developing very fast. At the same time, Chinese government has given priority to tree planting and forestry development which are seen as significant contributions to the development of the ecological environment. The upsurge of tree planting and forest protecting has been set off one after another by organizing and mobilizing the people all over China. Remarkable work has been done to develop forestry and to improve the landscape of the country. In this paper, the development of forestry in the last 20 years has been reviewed and major forestry policies have been discussed. Based on the development of national economy and forestry situation, the 4 major strategic measures have been pointed out for the development of forestry in the future.