China is building the world’s largest national parks system
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/china-national-parks-system
China is building the world’s largest national parks system
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/china-national-parks-system
11 Comments
> China plans to overtake the United States by building the world’s largest national park system, a network of wilderness **bigger than Texas.**
> China has already opened **five national parks**, totaling 57 million acres. Collectively, the parks span alpine peaks, tropical rainforests, remote glaciers, vast deserts, and high-altitude wetlands. They also protect rare animals like the Giant Panda, Siberian Tiger, and Asian Elephant.
> “While the United States pioneered the Yellowstone model—preserving vast wilderness areas—it also made **significant missteps**,” Zhang says. “Such as enclosing land and forcefully displacing Indigenous communities to create an image of ‘pristine’ wilderness. In contrast, China has the chance to chart its own course. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between local communities and wildlife conservation, China can create a national park system that integrates cultural vitality with ecological stewardship.”
> China has a history of record-breaking mega-projects, from the world’s largest dam to the planet’s longest bridge, and an unrivalled high-speed rail network. Now China is channeling its vast wealth, ambition, and capability into protecting and showcasing its extraordinary, yet overlooked natural scenery.
> National parks also drive local economic growth through tourism. They create job opportunities, increase revenue, and promote sustainable development in rural and remote areas. (Finally) they serve as outdoor classrooms, raising public awareness of environmental protection and cultural heritage.
See, China gets it! National Parks are everything a country should protect and promote.
I’m also personally thankful because one of the few things about the internet making me happy these days are panda videos — keep those fluffy puppies safe!!
The worldest largest dam lead to the extinction of species.
That’s good! Intentionally keeping some of the beautiful land beautiful is a good decision.
Lol, U.S. just gets slapped around by everyone else anymore. Meanwhile, the only thing I can think of that we are doing is re-renaming bases after Confederate asshats again after we almost finally buried their names once and for all. Oh and deploying our military against our own citizens, right after we pardoned all the January 6th traitors and pedos. And criminalizing miscarriages. I mean who the fuck are we anymore, the fucking Klingons?!?!
Only 6% of Chinese people live in about half of the land so that’s quite feasible.
While we dismantle ours with DOGE and selling of our private lands. Nice work America.
Meanwhile the CCP spreads plenty of ash from coal power plants and infects their population with lead with almost no environmental regulations whatsoever, then turns around and claims this to try and shade the west. Nice propaganda. What a bunch of hypocrites
This makes me laugh! China is one of the most polluted and overdeveloped countries I have ever spent time in! I give them credit for what they are trying to do though.
As an airline pilot who has flown over China a fair amount it’s going to take a lot of work. It often looks like a hellscape from the air.The corruption of local officials and mining interests will make this plan a difficult proposition!
China might be pivoting towards a tourism victory. I wonder where the faith production came from. Pagoda spam?
It is like they are repeating what America did in the 1950s and 1960s. National parks, Massive infrastructure spending and building, Economic dominance on the world stage.