Study on China's Timber Resource Shortage and Import Structure: Natural Forest Protection Program Outlook, 1998 to 2008

Abstract

The state of China's ecological environment has improved to some extent since the Chinese government initiated the Natural Forest Protection Programme (NFPP) in 1998. The logging prohibition and limitation policies adopted by the NFPP, however, have reduced domestic timber supply. Decreasing domestic timber supply, together with the thriving economy, continues to widen the gap between supply-and-demand. Importation is considered the primary solution to this issue, making China the world's largest timber importer. China's import origin structure indicates that its major timber suppliers are Russia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Gabon, among which Russia accounts for more than 61% of China's total timber imports. Data regarding imported timber categories show that the relatively cheaper conifers imported from Russia account for more than 60% of all imported timber, with volumes continually increasing because of the rapid pace at which China has been implementing its infrastructure projects. Furthermore, as living standards continue to improve, requirements for home decor and furniture also grow, bringing about an increase in the demand for tropical to temperate timber. In the long term, import will remain the main solution to the insufficient domestic timber supply in China.

Forest Company Dependencies and Impacts on Ecosystem Services: Expert Perceptions from China

“…Moreover, concerns have been raised about land or property rights acquisition from international companies [90,91]. Furthermore, increased competition in global log trade and the growing importance of the transparency of the source of origin would limit China's wood imports from those supplying countries [92][93][94][95][96][97]. Therefore, forest companies operating in China should find a way to operate more sustainably domestically and also make further efforts to ensure responsible business conduct if outsourcing wood.…”

China’s National Monitoring Program on Ecological Functions of Forests: An Analysis of the Protocol and Initial Results

“…In 2010, the total area of plantations reached 62 million ha, 37% of the total forest areas [40]. The government considers plantations an important means for solving the timber shortage problem and reducing the country's reliance on imported timber [56]. The poor health condition of plantations is a serious problem as it lowers the yield and quality of timber.…”

A Decade Trend of Total Factor Productivity of Key State-Owned Forestry Enterprises in China

“…The Natural Forest Protection Project (NFPP) of China has strengthened forest tending and has limited timber harvesting. Thus, the domestic supply of timber raw materials decreased, and the mode of the industrial economic development of key state-owned forestry enterprises needed transformation [2]. Because China has entered into the period of its 12th Five-Year Plan (from 2011 to 2015), the central government needs to gradually shift the aim of the development of the forestry economy from economic benefit to ecological benefit.…”