Photo taken on August 10, 2018 shows a planted forest in Chengde city, North China's Hebei province. [Photo/VCG] China now boasts the world's largest expanse of planted forest - over 69 million hectares - the head of the State Administration of Forestry and Grassland told an international congress in Beijing on Tuesday. As the area of planted forest continues to grow, more importance is being attached to ecological functions, Zhang Jianlong, the head of the administration, said at the opening ceremony of the fourth International Congress on Planted Forests. Zhang said China began planting trees in felled natural forests in the 1950s, mainly to ensure timber supplies. But today, planted forest mainly contributes to the country's construction of ecological civilization. 'The country has been attaching more importance to planted forest's role in the recovery of vegetation, degraded areas and landscapes, and the protection of biodiversity and water conservation, Zhang said. However, he said, there are some problems with the country's planted forest, including a lack of biological diversity, and low ecological functions and economic benefit. In addition to strengthening scientific research and innovation, Zhang also vowed to promote international exchanges and cooperation so that countries can share their experiences in promoting planted forest. The congress, themed Planted Forests - A Solution for Green Development, will end on Saturday. colored rubber bands for braceletscustom photo braceletsilicone bracelet usb flash drivesilicone medical alert bracelet diabetescustom silicone wristbands
BEIJING -- China will establish a national collaborative network of hospitals for rare disease diagnosis and treatment to promote the early detection and effective treatment of such diseases, according to a decision by the National Health Commission (NHC). Comprised of 324 hospitals selected for their capacity and experience in treating patients with rare diseases, the network will facilitate the timely transfer of difficult and complicated cases between hospitals and the allocation of quality medical resources for them, an NHC statement says. Meanwhile, hospitals in the network are urged to further train medical workers on rare disease knowledge and clinical skills, focusing on improving their abilities to identify, diagnose and treat such cases. China will establish a system for rare disease patients to be registered, the NHC adds.
