China’s Mangroves Expand 44% as International Center Opens
China’s mangrove forest area has reached 31,700 hectares, marking a 44 percent increase since the early 2000s, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources. The announcement, made on July 26 — International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem — coincided with the inaugural council meeting and inauguration ceremony of the International Mangrove Center (IMC) in Shenzhen, positioning China as one of the few countries worldwide achieving continuous mangrove expansion.
A Decade of Ecological Restoration
The 2025 National Land Use Change Survey revealed that China’s mangrove coverage has grown from roughly 22,000 hectares in the early 2000s to 31,700 hectares today. According to China Daily, the quality, stability, and carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove ecosystems have significantly improved alongside the area expansion.
Since implementing the “Mangrove Protection and Restoration Action Plan (2020-2025),” China has completed new mangrove afforestation of approximately 11,600 hectares. Over 90 percent of the country’s mangroves are now protected under the ecological protection red line — a national spatial planning tool that restricts development in areas of critical ecological importance. The legal framework has also been strengthened through the Wetland Protection Law, which includes specific provisions for mangrove protection.
Provincial efforts have been particularly notable. Guangdong, China’s largest mangrove province with approximately 11,600 hectares accounting for 37 percent of the national total, has added or restored over 8,000 hectares of mangroves and placed 93 percent of its mangrove area under ecological red line protection. Guangxi saw a 47.95 percent increase in mangrove area over ten years, reaching 10,800 hectares, and has established a provincial mangrove germplasm repository. Hainan has created over 2,030 hectares and restored more than 3,300 hectares of mangroves since 2020.
International Mangrove Center Inaugurated
Perhaps the most significant development was the official inauguration of the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen on July 26 — the world’s first intergovernmental organization dedicated exclusively to mangrove protection and cooperation. As Xinhua reported, the first council meeting reviewed and adopted institutional documents including the strategic plan and rules of procedure, and appointed the IMC’s Secretary-General.
The IMC’s journey began in November 2022 when China proposed its establishment at the 14th Ramsar Convention Conference of the Parties. It was designated a regional initiative by the Ramsar Standing Committee in September 2023, and 18 initial member states signed the founding agreement in November 2024. The agreement entered into force in June 2026. Currently, the IMC comprises 8 member states and 13 signatory states spanning Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
The NFGA confirmed that the Ramsar Convention Secretariat highly commended China’s role in promoting the IMC’s establishment. China’s representative stated that the government will work with member states to deepen cooperation, data sharing, and joint scientific research to help countries improve mangrove protection and management.
Broader Implications
China’s mangrove expansion carries significance beyond national borders. Mangroves sequester carbon at rates two to four times higher than mature tropical forests, making China’s 44 percent increase a meaningful contribution to its “dual carbon” goals — peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The blue carbon potential of mangroves is increasingly recognized in climate policy frameworks.
The achievement also bolsters China’s soft power in environmental governance. By hosting the IMC, China positions itself as a leader in global mangrove conservation, offering a platform for South-South cooperation on ecosystem restoration. Coastal cities are already exploring innovative financing models, including carbon credit auctions and judicial carbon credit schemes where courts mandate environmental offenders to fund mangrove planting.
Challenges Ahead
While the area expansion is impressive, scientific literature points to ongoing challenges. Research published in Science notes that mangrove restoration in China faces ecological hurdles, particularly the invasive species Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass). Studies also suggest that current mangrove area may need to be 1.1 times larger to meet optimal ecological restoration targets. The quality of restored mangroves compared to natural forests remains an important consideration.
What’s Next
The Ministry of Natural Resources and NFGA will draft a new “Mangrove Protection Action Plan (2026-2030)” to guide further restoration, clarify management responsibilities, and consolidate gains under the current plan. For the IMC, its effectiveness as an intergovernmental body will depend on membership growth, funding, and operational execution in the years ahead. China’s mangrove story — from decline to recovery — offers a template that other nations may look to as global mangrove loss continues.