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A senior Chinese official has called for better social awareness in protecting biodiversity on the eve of today's International Biodiversity Day.

Wang Dehui, vice-director of the Department of Nature under the State Environmental Protection Administration, said that environmental protection was vital.

The theme of the International Day of Biodiversity is "biodiversity and poverty alleviation - challenges for sustainable development."

He cited recent inconclusive research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in south China's Guangdong Province, where the SARS epidemic began.

According to the research, the epidemic may possibly have come from an animal killed and supplied to a local restaurant.

The research, even though not finally confirmed yet, should have sounded a warning in the ears of those abusing wild animals, said Wang, disclosing his office will organize the country's first mass activity to protest at the eating of wild animals on June 5, World Environment Day.

The eating of wild animals reflects a severe challenge confronting China in protecting biodiversity. About one quarter of the world's endangered species are in China.

"Luckily, the central government has attached greater importance to the protection of biodiversity," he said.

Wang, who is also the head of the Chinese Government's Co-ordinating Group on Implementing the International Biodiversity Protection Protocol, disclosed the country will step up its investment and legal efforts to protect biodiversity.

The 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05) of the State Environmental Protection Administration promised a massive investment of US$6.1 billion in this field.

The money will be used for the establishment of more nature reserves, an effective way to protect endangered species and the bio-environment, as well as related skills training and publicity.

By the end of last year, the Chinese mainland had established 1,757 nature reserves with a total area of 1.3 million square kilometers.

With nearly half of the target period already passed, China has achieved "considerable progress" and is working actively to secure the rest of the huge fund, the result of which should be "optimistic," said Wang.

Wang said a total of 20 different departments of the Chinese Government are working closely to establish a complete mechanism effectively monitoring and protecting biodiversity.

"One remarkable result of this co-operation might be the production of more special laws and regulations in the regard, such as one against the invasion of foreign species," he said.

The country has lost over 50 billion yuan (US$6 billion) as a result of this.

And the Chinese Government will host a range of colorful activities to mark International Biodiversity Day.

(China Daily May 22, 2003)