China's Heritage Sites Shine: 90% Earn Top Ratings

China's natural and mixed UNESCO World Heritage sites are performing exceptionally well, with about 90 percent earning 'good' or higher ratings from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This achievement is considerably higher than the global average of 61 percent and the Asian average of 68 percent.

These sites, covering 80,000 square kilometers across 20 provincial regions, encompass diverse ecosystems. China leads the world in hosting 15 natural heritage sites and four sites recognized for both cultural and natural significance.

To bolster protection, China has developed a comprehensive legal framework, enacted the National Park Law, and revised regulations for nature reserves. Near-natural restoration efforts have been implemented at over 80 percent of these sites.

Furthermore, heritage-based cultural tourism has become a vital industry, with over 90 percent of sites prioritizing local resident employment. The administration is committed to enhancing systematic conservation and integrating natural heritage into protected area monitoring systems.