Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves (Revised in 2026)
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves (Revised in 2026)
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves (Revised in 2026)
Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 830
February 3, 2026
The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves, revised and adopted at the 77th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 9, 2026, are hereby promulgated and shall come into force as of March 15, 2026.
Li Qiang, Premier
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves (Revised in 2026)
(Promulgated by Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 167 on October 9, 1994; revised for the first time in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Repealing and Amending Certain Administrative Regulations on January 8, 2011; revised for the second time in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on the Amending Certain Administrative Regulations on October 7, 2017; and revised for the third time by Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 830 on February 3, 2026)
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Regulations are formulated to promote the high-quality development of nature reserves, strengthen the protection and management of nature reserves, comprehensively advance ecological civilization and the building of a Beautiful China, and accelerate a modernization characterized by harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
Article 2 These Regulations shall apply to the establishment of nature reserves, the protection and management of nature reserves, and related activities conducted within the territory of the People's Republic of China and other sea areas under its jurisdiction.
For the purposes of these Regulations, "nature reserves" refer to specific terrestrial and marine areas established with the approval of the State Council or the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, with the primary purposes of protecting typical natural ecosystems, natural areas with concentrated distributions of rare and endangered species of wild flora and fauna, and natural relics of special significance, and to achieve the scientific protection and rational utilization of natural resources.
Article 3 The development of nature reserves shall implement the Party and the State's guidelines, policies, and decisions, uphold the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, adhere to a people-centered development philosophy, prioritize ecological protection, balance protection and development, and follow the principles of adapting to local conditions and highlighting unique characteristics. A mechanism led by the government, with multi-party participation and social sharing, shall be established to achieve the integration of ecological protection, green development, and the improvement of people's livelihood.
Article 4 The State Council and the people's governments at or above the county level in the locations of nature reserves shall strengthen overall coordination for the development of nature reserves, improve policy measures supporting the development of nature reserves, and incorporate the development of nature reserves into relevant plans for national economic and social development.
Article 5 The State shall establish a diversified funding guarantee system for nature reserves. People's governments at or above the county level shall include the funds required for the management of nature reserves in the budgets of the corresponding level in accordance with the principle of division of fiscal authority and expenditure responsibility.
The State encourages support for the development of nature reserves through the establishment of funds, donations, sponsorships, and other means.
Article 6 The competent authority for forestry and grassland under the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves nationwide. Relevant authorities for natural resources, ecology and environment, water administration, agriculture and rural affairs, and transport under the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves within their respective areas of responsibility.
The competent authorities for forestry and grassland under local people's governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves within their respective administrative regions. Other relevant authorities under local people's governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves within their respective areas of responsibility.
The nature reserve administrative bodies established in accordance with regulations shall be responsible for the protection and management of their respective nature reserves in accordance with these Regulations and their prescribed responsibilities.
Article 7 The competent authority for forestry and grassland under the State Council and relevant authorities shall, in accordance with their responsibilities, establish and improve relevant technical specifications and standards systems for nature reserves, and shall organize the formulation and timely revision of relevant technical specifications and standards for nature reserves in accordance with the law.
Article 8 The State encourages and supports scientific and technological research, application, and dissemination related to nature reserves, strengthens the cultivation of professionals related to nature reserves, and enhances the role of technological innovation in supporting the development of nature reserves.
Article 9 The competent authority for forestry and grassland under the State Council and relevant authorities, the people's governments at or above the county level in the locations of nature reserves and their relevant departments, and nature reserve administrative bodies shall organize various forms of publicity and education activities for the protection of nature reserves.
News media shall conduct public-interest publicity on the protection of nature reserves and carry out public opinion supervision in accordance with the law.
Article 10 The State supports and promotes international exchange and cooperation in the field of nature reserves through various means.
Chapter II Establishment of Nature Reserves
Article 11 A nature reserve shall be established in any area that meets one of the following conditions:
(1) Typical natural geographical areas, natural ecosystem areas, or similar natural ecosystem areas that have been damaged but can be restored through protection and restoration;
(2) Natural areas with concentrated distribution of rare and endangered species of wild flora and fauna;
(3) Sea areas, coasts, islands, wetlands, inland water areas, forests, grasslands, and deserts with special protection value;
(4) Natural relics with significant scientific and cultural value, such as geological profiles, geological structures, concentrated distribution areas of paleontological fossils, geomorphological landscapes, and geological disaster relics; or
(5) Other natural areas requiring special protection.
To establish a nature reserve, full consideration shall be given to soliciting opinions from relevant parties, and appropriate arrangements shall be made to properly handle the relationship with local economic and social development as well as the production and living needs of residents.
Article 12 Nature reserves are classified into national-level nature reserves and provincial-level nature reserves.
Nature reserves that are of typical significance domestically and internationally, have significant international scientific influence, or possess special scientific research value, as well as those involving national maritime rights and interests, shall be designated as national-level nature reserves.
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Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 830
February 3, 2026
The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves, revised and adopted at the 77th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 9, 2026, are hereby promulgated and shall come into force as of March 15, 2026.
Li Qiang, Premier
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Nature Reserves (Revised in 2026)
(Promulgated by Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 167 on October 9, 1994; revised for the first time in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Repealing and Amending Certain Administrative Regulations on January 8, 2011; revised for the second time in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on the Amending Certain Administrative Regulations on October 7, 2017; and revised for the third time by Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 830 on February 3, 2026)
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Regulations are formulated to promote the high-quality development of nature reserves, strengthen the protection and management of nature reserves, comprehensively advance ecological civilization and the building of a Beautiful China, and accelerate a modernization characterized by harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
Article 2 These Regulations shall apply to the establishment of nature reserves, the protection and management of nature reserves, and related activities conducted within the territory of the People's Republic of China and other sea areas under its jurisdiction.
For the purposes of these Regulations, "nature reserves" refer to specific terrestrial and marine areas established with the approval of the State Council or the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, with the primary purposes of protecting typical natural ecosystems, natural areas with concentrated distributions of rare and endangered species of wild flora and fauna, and natural relics of special significance, and to achieve the scientific protection and rational utilization of natural resources.
Article 3 The development of nature reserves shall implement the Party and the State's guidelines, policies, and decisions, uphold the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, adhere to a people-centered development philosophy, prioritize ecological protection, balance protection and development, and follow the principles of adapting to local conditions and highlighting unique characteristics. A mechanism led by the government, with multi-party participation and social sharing, shall be established to achieve the integration of ecological protection, green development, and the improvement of people's livelihood.
Article 4 The State Council and the people's governments at or above the county level in the locations of nature reserves shall strengthen overall coordination for the development of nature reserves, improve policy measures supporting the development of nature reserves, and incorporate the development of nature reserves into relevant plans for national economic and social development.
Article 5 The State shall establish a diversified funding guarantee system for nature reserves. People's governments at or above the county level shall include the funds required for the management of nature reserves in the budgets of the corresponding level in accordance with the principle of division of fiscal authority and expenditure responsibility.
The State encourages support for the development of nature reserves through the establishment of funds, donations, sponsorships, and other means.
Article 6 The competent authority for forestry and grassland under the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves nationwide. Relevant authorities for natural resources, ecology and environment, water administration, agriculture and rural affairs, and transport under the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves within their respective areas of responsibility.
The competent authorities for forestry and grassland under local people's governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves within their respective administrative regions. Other relevant authorities under local people's governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the supervision and regulation of nature reserves within their respective areas of responsibility.
The nature reserve administrative bodies established in accordance with regulations shall be responsible for the protection and management of their respective nature reserves in accordance with these Regulations and their prescribed responsibilities.
Article 7 The competent authority for forestry and grassland under the State Council and relevant authorities shall, in accordance with their responsibilities, establish and improve relevant technical specifications and standards systems for nature reserves, and shall organize the formulation and timely revision of relevant technical specifications and standards for nature reserves in accordance with the law.
Article 8 The State encourages and supports scientific and technological research, application, and dissemination related to nature reserves, strengthens the cultivation of professionals related to nature reserves, and enhances the role of technological innovation in supporting the development of nature reserves.
Article 9 The competent authority for forestry and grassland under the State Council and relevant authorities, the people's governments at or above the county level in the locations of nature reserves and their relevant departments, and nature reserve administrative bodies shall organize various forms of publicity and education activities for the protection of nature reserves.
News media shall conduct public-interest publicity on the protection of nature reserves and carry out public opinion supervision in accordance with the law.
Article 10 The State supports and promotes international exchange and cooperation in the field of nature reserves through various means.
Chapter II Establishment of Nature Reserves
Article 11 A nature reserve shall be established in any area that meets one of the following conditions:
(1) Typical natural geographical areas, natural ecosystem areas, or similar natural ecosystem areas that have been damaged but can be restored through protection and restoration;
(2) Natural areas with concentrated distribution of rare and endangered species of wild flora and fauna;
(3) Sea areas, coasts, islands, wetlands, inland water areas, forests, grasslands, and deserts with special protection value;
(4) Natural relics with significant scientific and cultural value, such as geological profiles, geological structures, concentrated distribution areas of paleontological fossils, geomorphological landscapes, and geological disaster relics; or
(5) Other natural areas requiring special protection.
To establish a nature reserve, full consideration shall be given to soliciting opinions from relevant parties, and appropriate arrangements shall be made to properly handle the relationship with local economic and social development as well as the production and living needs of residents.
Article 12 Nature reserves are classified into national-level nature reserves and provincial-level nature reserves.
Nature reserves that are of typical significance domestically and internationally, have significant international scientific influence, or possess special scientific research value, as well as those involving national maritime rights and interests, shall be designated as national-level nature reserves.
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