China Cuts Timber Production
Copyright 2000, Xinhua News Agency
October 9, 2000
China's production of timber has dropped all the way in recent years, as a result of the national campaign of natural forest protection.
The output of timber was 52.36 million cubic meters in 1999, down 12.2 percent from the previous year. The output is planned to be further cut by 6.54 million cubic meters in 2000, meaning that the actual supply of timber this year is estimated at 45.82 million cubic meters.
The gradual reduction of timber supply has led to sharp contradiction between demand and supply.
As various countries are paying more attention to ecological construction and forest protection, to take measure to control and ban export of timber, China will find it more and more difficult in importing timber. In such situation, the Ministry of Forestry plans to build timber production bases by planting fast-growing trees and precious trees, and trees used as industrial raw materials, while strengthening cultivation of saplings and raising forest output.