At a recent State Council Information Office press conference themed around the 15th Five-Year Plan, officials outlined strategies to secure the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. The focus is on using spatial planning and resource allocation to drive high-quality development across the nation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has reserved land for over 2,800 major projects, supporting significant infrastructure networks. This initiative is part of a broader effort to leverage a unified national spatial planning blueprint, ensuring that key construction projects have the necessary space and resources to proceed.
Resource-based industries are experiencing substantial growth. From January to August, the value of mining rights transactions surged by 133.5% year-on-year, and investment in non-oil and gas mineral exploration increased by 8.1% in the first half of the year. The maritime sector also boomed, with new ship orders and marine engineering equipment orders growing by 83.7% and 160.8%, respectively, during the same period.
Regarding spatial planning, the ministry confirmed that the supply of new construction land will be sufficient during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The key challenge lies in optimizing how these resources are allocated and used. Efforts will focus on strengthening coordination between national strategic spaces and refining the mechanism for project access, ensuring projects align with planning and resources follow project needs. A streamlined approval process will be established for major projects included in the national blueprint to accelerate their implementation.
The ministry will also adapt to new urban development trends by shifting from relying on incremental land to revitalizing existing land stock. The approach will transition from simply selling land to managing its operational value over the long term, balancing immediate revenue with sustained asset performance. This includes stronger control over urban boundaries and protecting public interests through comprehensive planning.
By 2030, national forest coverage is targeted to reach 25.8%, with forest stock volume aiming for 22.4 billion cubic meters. Grassland vegetation coverage is expected to hit 51%, while protected natural areas will remain stable at 18% of the national territory. The total output value of the forestry and grassland industries is projected to reach 14 trillion yuan.
Significant progress has been made in ecological restoration. The population of Hainan gibbons has grown to 44, and wild Siberian tigers now number 72. The recent filming of a tigress with five cubs in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park highlights the effectiveness of habitat improvement. The Three-North Shelterbelt Program has completed 265 million mu of tasks over the past three years, enhancing ecosystem quality and stability.
The first dedicated law on farmland protection in China will take effect on January 1st. The new legislation aims to stabilize the quantity of arable land, optimize its structure, and strengthen oversight. This legal framework underscores the critical importance of farmland to national food security.
Exploration efforts are yielding positive results. From January to August, nearly 70 million tons of new recoverable oil reserves and 610 billion cubic meters of natural gas were discovered. Major new mineral deposits, including a large-scale copper-gold mine in Anhui and a lead-zinc mine in Guizhou, were also found. Future plans include prioritizing exploration for critical minerals such as oil, iron, copper, and aluminum, while also focusing on rare earth resources to enhance self-sufficiency and secure the supply chain for strategic minerals.
Enhanced safety measures are being implemented, including comprehensive geological hazard monitoring and improved marine disaster forecasting. The nation is committed to early detection and rapid response to forest and grassland fires, strengthening resilience against extreme climate events. These integrated efforts aim to ensure both resource security and sustainable development for the future.
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