China's first National Park Forum opened Monday in Xining City in northwestern Qinghai Province to discuss the plan for a national park system.

The forum, themed "To Build a System of Nature-Protected Areas led by National Parks," is organized by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration as well as the government in Qinghai, where the first national park set to open is located.

Over 300 representatives from ecological protection organizations as well as national parks across the world are participating in the forum.

China plans to build a unified national park system by 2020, collaborating resources from the current 2,000 nature reserves and nearly 12,000 nature-protected areas.

Currently, ten national parks have started trial operations. They are dedicated to protecting ecological systems, including treasured animal and plant species, such as giant pandas, Siberian tigers and Amur leopards.

During the forum, six side events will also be held to discuss a wide range of issues in eco-preservation and biodiversity.

(Cover image via VCG)

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