13 November 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) reported that the Government of China has named four new Wetlands of International Importance, bringing the country’s total number of Ramsar sites to 41.

The Gansu Gahai Wetlands Nature Reserve is a high altitude wetland on the Tibetan Plateau. The other three sites are located in Heilongjiang Province, in northeast China. The Heilongjiang Nanweng River National Nature Reserve consists of: permanent freshwater marshes and ponds; freshwater, tree-dominated wetlands; and permanent rivers. It supports 442 plant species, 216 bird species and 49 mammal species, including 22 threatened species of birds, mammals and plants.

The Heilongjiang Qixing River National Nature Reserve is recognized as one of the best preserved natural wetland areas in China, and supports a diversity of wetland plants and animals. It also provides a base for scientific research and education on wetland conservation.

The Heilongjiang Zhenbaodao Wetland National Nature Reserve supports a diversity of freshwater wetland types and 13 threatened species. The wetlands in the site are now under strict protection and not used for agriculture, aquaculture or other production uses; but the site has great potential value for ecotourism. [Ramsar Press Release]