A senior Chinese official called for better protection of forests and the promotion of a "conservation culture" on Monday.

Jia Qinglin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said a national campaign for "Forest Care" had "achieved a good social effect and earned public recognition".

Centering on the promotion of a conservation culture, the campaign should continue to contribute to forestry development, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body.

"Forest Care", initiated by the CPPCC National Committee's Population, Resources and Environment Committee, the State Forestry Administration and the China Green Foundation, aims to mobilize the public to support, care for and develop forestry to boost public awareness of ecological protection.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2008)