China has made major strides in conserving wild plants during the last five years, with most key species now under effective protection, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. As one of the world’s most botanically diverse countries, China has expanded both in-situ (original location) and ex-situ (non-original location) efforts, safeguarding 65 percent of higher plant communities and 80 percent of nationally key protected species.   More than 300 endangered plants have been reintroduced into the wild. The country’s first five national parks now offer in-situ protection for 141 priority species, while over 300 additional habitat conservation sites have been set up beyond nature reserves, improving ecosystem integrity and connectivity. More than 100 extremely small-population species have also undergone rescue conservation.   At the same time, a national ex-situ conservation network has taken shape around the China National Botanical Garden and South China National Botanical Garden. “By 2035, our species collection will reach 30,000,” said He Ran, noting this will place China among the world’s leading botanical gardens. A new plant germplasm resource bank, designed to store 70,000 species, will underpin the country’s future biodiversity protection.   Source: China Central Television