Fanjing Mountain: China's 53rd UNESCO World Heritage

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01:51

We begin today with the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee held Monday in Manama, Bahrain. Fanjing Mountain in southwest China's Guizhou Province was officially added to the UNESCO Natural Heritage list. China now has 53 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Fanjing Mountain is now China's 13th World Natural Heritage site, bringing the total number of World Heritage sites in the country to 53.

China's National UNESCO commission chief, Qin Changwei, explained the significance of Fanjing Mountain's success.

QIN CHANGWEI, CHIEF NATIONAL COMMISSION OF THE PRC FOR UNESCO "It is one of the biggest achievements China has made in building an ecological civilization. China will make continuous efforts and take strong measures to protect the ecosystem of the area."

With an elevation of some 2,500 meters above sea level, Fanjing Mountain is the highest in Guizhou Province.

It is well-known for its magnificent natural landscape and subtropical ecology. Its great biological diversity and integrity feature rare plants and wildlife.

Fanjing is home to 4,394 species of plants and 2,767 species of animals. It includes the grey snub-nosed monkey, once thought extinct.

In 1986, it was listed as one of the first national nature reserves in China and brought under the protection of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Program.