Gov't plans new national park model

The central government is planning to take direct management of a national park in northwest China's Qinghai Province, breaking with the current Chinese system of nature reserves managed by local governments.

Under proposals made on Wednesday at a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Reform, the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, established in the year 2000 in a region considered the cradle of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers, will be remodelled and given more of an educative remit.

It will act as a pilot project with a view to creating centrally-controlled national parks elsewhere, according to a statement issued after the meeting, chaired by President Xi Jinping.

"The pilot is significant because it will ensure natural resources in the region can be shared by people nationwide," the statement said.

With an average altitude of 4,000 meters on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Sanjiangyuan is a paradise for herders and wildlife such as Tibetan antelope.

Wednesday's meeting was also attended by Premier Li Keqiang and senior leaders Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli. Endi