Group 1 - The fifth World Biosphere Reserve Congress will be held in Hangzhou from September 22 to 25, marking the first time this event is hosted in Asia and featuring the widest participation from UNESCO member states in a decade [1] - China currently has 34 World Biosphere Reserves, the highest number in Asia, and aims to leverage the upcoming congress to enhance international cooperation in ecological governance and technology [1] - The Chinese government is focusing on integrating and optimizing natural protected areas to address issues such as ecosystem fragmentation and wildlife habitat loss [1] Group 2 - The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs emphasizes a balanced approach to fisheries development, focusing on both protection and development, which has helped to curb the decline of marine fishery resources [2] - The biodiversity of indigenous fish species in the Yangtze River has shown signs of recovery, with 344 species monitored from 2021 to 2024, an increase of 36 species compared to the pre-fishing ban period [2]

Group 1 - The fifth World Biosphere Reserve Congress will be held in Hangzhou from September 22 to 25, marking the first time this event is hosted in Asia and featuring the widest participation from UNESCO member states in a decade [1] - China currently has 34 World Biosphere Reserves, the highest number in Asia, and aims to leverage the upcoming congress to enhance international cooperation in ecological governance and technology [1] - The concept of "Two Mountains" will be emphasized as China seeks to contribute more to the global community in building a shared future for life on Earth [1] Group 2 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reports that China has balanced protection and development in fisheries, successfully curbing the decline of marine resources [2] - From 2021 to 2024, the Yangtze River basin has recorded 344 native fish species, an increase of 36 species compared to the period before the fishing ban [2]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing optimization and integration of natural protected areas in China is being refined, with provincial-level results being developed and approved in batches, following the release of the "National Natural Protected Area Integration and Optimization Plan" by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources [1][2]. Group 1: National Policy and Implementation - The National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources have issued a directive to enhance the integration and optimization of existing natural protected areas, ensuring that the process is rigorous, data-driven, and responsive to public concerns [2]. - The integration plan is still pending approval and cannot be considered effective until then, although provincial departments are encouraged to begin preliminary work on key projects [1][2]. Group 2: Provincial Actions and Results - Various provincial authorities, including those in Shandong and Zhejiang, have publicly announced their local integration and optimization plans, resulting in a reduction of protected areas and an increase in total area [2]. - In Zhejiang, the number of natural protected areas decreased by 78 to a total of 166, while the total area increased by approximately 120 square kilometers to 14,693 square kilometers [2]. Group 3: Guidelines for Optimization - The "Natural Protected Area Integration and Optimization Rules" stipulate that smaller, fragmented, or less ecologically valuable protected areas may be revoked or reclassified, while areas with significant ecological or cultural value must be preserved [5][6]. - The integration process will consider factors such as ecological systems, resource ownership, and management structures, with a preference for merging lower-tier protected areas into higher-tier ones [5][6].