The Research on Ecological Protection and Industrial Development of China's Forests in the New Era, a strategic research and consulting project of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), was launched in Beijing on July 10, 2023.

More than 40 participants including CAE members and experts attended the meeting chaired by CAE member Zhang Shougong.

The project team made a detailed report from three aspects: the enhancement path of forest ecological protection, the high-quality development path of the forest industry, and the integrated approach in forest ecological protection and industrial development. During the meeting CAE members and experts fully acknowledged the research, and put forward opinions and suggestions on research priorities, feasibility, selection of field surveys, and key research issues.

Zhang said that the team would follow the suggestions of the CAE members and experts and closely align with the requirements on adopting the integrated conservation and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, as well as give full play to the four cardinal roles of forests. The team will analyze the basic characteristics of China's forest ecological protection and industrial development, and offer forward-looking policy suggestions to achieve efficient unification of the ecological functions, economic progress and social benefits of forests.