Forest tenure system and reform in China

摘要

In 1981, the Chinese State Council issued its "Resolution on Issues Concerning Forest Protection and Development", also known as its "three fixes" policy, marking the beginning of forest tenure reform in China. Since then, the forestry sectors have begun to register forestlands and issued the tenure certificates which clarify the tenure of forest lands and timber. A special system and personnel for forest land register and management have been established from the central level to township level. Meanwhile, the forest tenure system has undergone reforms such as contractual agreements with farmer households, allowing forest land rights transfer and auctioning the use right of 'four wastelands', etc. Especially after 1998, the integrated national economic strength has been greatly enhanced and the support and help given to forestry have been strengthened. China has entered a historic transition period. The promulgation of the Law on Land Contract in Rural Areas will further lead to the decentralization of forest tenure system, farmers' contracts with real rights, diversity of operations, resources allocation by market and will promote forestry development. This paper describes mainly the current situation of forest tenure management system in China; reviews the reform process of forest tenure and its impact; and analyses the security of tenure and prospects in the trend of policy and legislation.