China calls for sustainable logging by Chinese firms overseas

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China calls for sustainable logging by Chinese firms overseas

11/07/2007

China unveiled a draft sustainable forestry handbook for Chinese
companies operating overseas. The move comes as the country faces
increasing criticism from environmentalists who say China's booming
demand for timber and other materials is destroying the world's
tropical forests.

The guidelines call for a ban on illegal logging and clearing of
natural forests for plantations. The manual, which was announced last
year, has been distributed to China's 31 provinces, its forestry
department, and various industry groups, and will soon go out to
officials in 333 cities and 2,862 counties, according to a statement
posted on the Forestry Ministry Web site.

"[The manual] positively guides and standardizes Chinese companies'
sustainable forestry activities overseas, promotes the sustainable
development of forestry in those countries (and) protects the
international image of our government being responsible," Deputy
Forestry Minister Li Yucai said in a statement, as reported by Reuters.

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