China Expands its Conservation Horizons: Potential OECMs Cases

Shenmin Liu and Chunyue Wei

In a significant step toward meeting global biodiversity conservation targets, conservationists in China have unveiled a second set of potential “Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures” (OECMs) cases in China. Following the release of the first set of 56 cases in 2024, Shan Shui Conservation Center and several partner organizations organized another nationwide search, resulting in the identification of 40 more cases, including 15 “examples of excellence.” These 40 cases collectively cover 929 square kilometers (about 360 square miles).

A New Paradigm: “Natural Coexistence Areas”

In China, OECMs are increasingly referred to as 自然共生地, which literally means “Natural Coexistence Areas” or “Natural Symbiosis Areas,” to better communicate their purpose to the public and emphasize the harmony between human activity and ecological health. The new phrase represents China’s effort to localize obscure terminology used in English-language international biodiversity conservation frameworks into culturally meaningful and easy-to-understand Chinese terms.

Unlike traditional nature reserves managed solely by the government, these new sites represent a “bottom-up” approach involving diverse stakeholders, said Wang Yi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Of the 40 cases, 65% are governed by civic sector organizations, such as communities, non-profits, or universities; 12% are governed by the private sector; and only 23% are conserved by the government. These areas represent a shift in conservation philosophy and practice—moving from the strict protection of nature to recognizing working models of coexistence. As a result, the selected cases encompass a remarkable variety of landscapes, including wildlife corridors, community conserved forests, no-fishing zones, eco-friendly farmlands, urban parks, corporate campuses, and even university grounds.

Professor Lv Zhi of Peking University highlighted that OECMs foster a connection between biological and cultural diversity. She argued that “Natural Co-living Areas” provide a mechanism for society to spontaneously participate in conservation, preserving not just species, but the ecological culture that sustains them.

From Snow Leopards to City Campuses

The biodiversity protected within these sites is staggering. The cases cover habitats for endangered species such as the snow leopard, the northern pig-tailed macaque, the oriental white stork, and the green sea turtle, as well as rare flora like the Phoebe zhennan tree. They also represent a diversity of management models, as outlined below:

• Community Conservation: The Kehe Marong Community Conserved Area in Aba, Sichuan demonstrates how local stewardship can safeguard alpine ecosystems.
• Urban Biodiversity: The Fudan University Jiangwan Ecological Conservation Area and the Wangjing Branch of the Beijing Academy of Forestry and Landscape Architecture show how nature can thrive in densely populated cities.
• Corporate Responsibility: The China National Petroleum Corporation has established several biodiversity conservation areas in Changqing Oilfield, Daqing Oilfield, and Kunlun Gas Hainan LNG Depot, etc., demonstrating that industrial zones can play a role in ecological protection.
• Sustainable Fisheries: Cases like Mirs Bay in Hong Kong focus on sustainable fisheries and ecological conservation, bridging the gap between economic livelihood and marine health.

Strategic Importance for the “30×30” Target

This initiative is not just about local wins; it has global strategic significance. Wang Xiaoping, a senior official at the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau, noted that theidentified potential OECMs in this set of cases are vital for achieving the “30×30 goal” of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework—protecting at least 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. For high-density urban areas like Beijing, OECMs offer a flexible mechanism to recognize sites that complement traditional protected area systems. Chinese conservationists agree that these measures provide a necessary alternative to top-down government designations, offering “Chinese wisdom” for global environmental governance.

Future Challenges

While momentum is strong, there is a need to focus on quality over quantity of OECMs, said Mitali Sharma, Co-Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Asia OECM Working Group. She emphasized the necessity of establishing robust monitoring systems, securing long-term funding, and ensuring that these areas deliver measurable conservation outcomes. Of the 40 cases, the majority of sites have a time horizon of just 1-5 years. Capacity and resources for long-term planning need to be strengthened on an ongoing basis.

Nonetheless, OECMs represent a new opportunity in Chinese conservation. And with a new name alongside cross-sectoral collaboration, they are likely to move from a niche concept to the mainstream at a faster pace.