Overall Plan for the Establishment of the National Park System.

This Overall Plan for the Establishment of the National Park System is a sectoral policy document at the national level. It outlines the top-level design of the national park system of China. By 2020, the pilot programs of establishing a national park system will be basically completed, a group of national parks will be integrated and established, a hierarchical and unified management system will be basically established, and the overall layout of national parks will be initially formed. By 2030, the national park system will be more complete, the hierarchical and unified management system will be more perfect, and the protection and management efficiency will be significantly improved.
China's national parks refer to the specific land or marine areas, which are established and managed by China. They have clear boundaries, they aim to protect large-scale natural ecosystem with national representative and realize the scientific protection and rational utilization of natural resources. National parks are one of the most important types of protected natural areas and will be managed according to a red line system. Aiming mainly to protect China’s large natural ecosystems, the national parks will be set up in specific land, marine and ocean areas to achieve a combination of ecological protection and sustainable development. By 2020, the country will finish pilot programs for establishing national parks, according to the Plan. The country’s national parks will follow the principle of “ecological protection first”. The national parks will be authorized by the central government and implemented by government-led management.