At 10:00 a.m. Beijing time on September 10, the State Council Information Office convened a press conference titled “High-Quality Completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan” to showcase China’s strides in natural resource development.
Energy exploration led the headlines: 10 large oilfields and 19 large gas fields have been confirmed, underpinning an annual crude oil output of 200 million tonnes and boosting natural gas production beyond 240 billion cubic meters. Newly identified large uranium deposits further strengthen clean energy security.
On land, the national cultivated area expanded to 1.94 billion mu (about 129.33 million hectares) by the end of 2024, up 28 million mu from 2020. Comprehensive surveys of 163 mineral types with proven reserves uncovered 534 new large and medium-sized deposits, reinforcing a data-driven approach to resource management.
The marine economy achieved a GDP of 10.5 trillion yuan (about $1.46 trillion), a jump of 2.7 trillion yuan since 2020. Advances in marine transportation, offshore energy and marine biotechnology highlight the Chinese mainland’s growing strengths at sea.
Forest and grassland efforts boosted the national forest coverage rate to 25.09 percent, up roughly 2 percentage points from 2020. Ecological protection and restoration swept across more than 80 million mu through integrated landscape, forest, farmland, grassland and wetland projects. The Three-North Shelterbelt Program alone added 164 million mu of greenery, and national parks have integrated over 120 original nature reserves, helping wild Siberian tiger and Amur leopard populations rise to about 70 and 80 individuals, respectively.
Officials also addressed property rights reform in natural resource management, emphasizing clearer ownership, unified registration and value realization. Marine economic growth was linked to a modern marine industry system, showcasing progress in transportation, offshore energy and biotech.
With the 14th Five-Year Plan winding down, these achievements underscore a balancing act between growth and ecological conservation, offering practical lessons for sustainable development worldwide.
Reference(s):
Major leaps! 10, 19, 200 million tonnes, 240 billion cubic meters
cgtn.com
