China has announced sweeping new guidelines to modernise its state forestry farms, positioning them as a cornerstone of both forest conservation and sustainable timber production. The plan, unveiled by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other government agencies yesterday, sets a 2035 deadline for a fully modernised system.
Officials say the reforms will strengthen the ecological functions of forestry farms, boost timber output, improve rural livelihoods, and tie them more closely to the country’s expanding green economy. By 2030, the NDRC says, the farms should be “characterised by high‑quality natural resources, stable ecological functions and a well‑developed green economy.” Five years later, they are expected to become “a major force in safeguarding national ecological security, advancing the country’s forest and grassland industries, and supplying high‑quality ecological products.”
A commission spokesperson underscored the urgency of the effort: “We will strengthen policy support, upgrade essential infrastructure, and coordinate efforts to accelerate the construction of a modern national forestry system.”
What are state forestry farms?
State forestry farms — government‑run land management units established decades ago — were once focused on timber production, reforestation and land reclamation. In recent years, their role has shifted toward ecological protection, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. Spread across the country, often in ecologically sensitive regions, they now serve as both production bases and conservation zones, striking a balance between economic activity and environmental stewardship.
The new plan aims to upgrade infrastructure, improve ecological monitoring and integrate the farms into China’s push for carbon neutrality and rural revitalisation. State media reported that the reforms are also aimed at creating jobs and improving living standards in forested regions. Analysts say the initiative reflects Beijing’s broader ambition to build what it calls an “ecological civilisation,” a concept central to Xi Jinping’s environmental doctrine.
- To learn more about the push for China, the world’s largest importer of logs and lumber, to grow its own timber, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from last year.
