The First International Conference on Geoparks opened in
Beijing?on Sunday. More than 500 represent atives from over 40
countries and regions are attending the meeting.
Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan sent a congratulatory letter to
the conference, saying that geological heritages, formed by
millions of years-long evolution, vividly show the Earth history.
China has a large number of unique geological heritages, because of
its vast territory and sophisticated geological features.
"The Chinese government has established 85 state geoparks in
response to UNESCO's call of building up a geopark network and
worked out and implemented a series of policies and measures to
better protect its geological heritages," Zeng said, adding that
"the move will not only be beneficial to the spread of geological
knowledge, but promote the development of the country's
tourism."
He noted that the First International Conference on Geoparks,
which was a milestone along the international geopark development
history, would offer an opportunity for Chinese experts to learn
precious experience about geological heritages protection from
overseas counterparts.
Walter R. Erdelen, assistant Director-General for Natural
Sciences under the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific
and Cultural Organization), said on the conference's opening
ceremony that the history of the planet earth was inscribed in its
landscapes, its mountains and in its rocks beneath our feet.
"We should strive to preserve this geological heritages because
it is of aesthetic, cultural and scientific significance and
because we recognize that it has nature conservation values."
"However, the record of the Earth's history is fragile, it must
be safeguarded and protected. Therefore, the creation of a UNESCO
Network of national Geoparks should be considered," he added.
On the opening ceremony, Professor Ed de Mulder, president of
the UNESCO's Geological Sciences Union, announced the 25
UNESCO-identified world geoparks, including eight Chinese ones,
namely Huangshan Mountains in Anhui Province, Lushan Mountains in
Jiangxi Province, Yuntaishan Mountains in Henan Province, Stone
Forest in Yunnan Province, Danxiashan Mountain in Guangdong
Province, Zhangjiajie Nature Reserve in Hunan Province, Wudalianchi
in Heilongjiang Province and Songshan Mountains in Henan
Province.
Others on the list include two in Austria, two in France, three
in Germany, two in Greece, two in Italy, two in Spain, three in the
United Kindom and one in Ireland.
The three-day First International Conference on Geoparks was
jointly sponsored by the UNESCO and the Ministry of Land and
Resources of China. With the theme of "geological heritage
protection and sustainable development", the conference is expected
to adopt the charter on international geopark conference and
Beijing declaration on geological heritage protection.
(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2004)