The year 2001 marks the tenth year since participating states signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the UNCED in Rio de Janeiro. Coupled with this monumental event, a high level international advisory body under China's State Council - the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) - was established and is now at the end of its Phase II. With respect to the environmental challenges that China's economic development is facing, concerted actions aiming to conserve China's biodiversity, as well as to implement its obligations under the CBD, are needed.

The Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) is one of six working groups originally established to facilitate the work of the CCICED. Both Chinese and foreign specialists of the Group have dedicated themselves to assist China in conserving its biodiversity by formulating recommendations of CCICED to the State Council and relevant government departments through cross-sectoral workshops and discussions based on field surveys and investigations in selected provinces. Throughout its tenure, the BWG has acknowledged that the conservation of biological diversity requires a multi-disciplinary approach. It is important not only to attend to biological and ecological factors, but also to incorporate socio-economic, cultural and other factors. Specialists of the BWG have been greatly encouraged by the fact that the Group's recommendations have been either well acknowledged and accepted, or incorporated into the decision-making process in a timely manner by the Chinese Government.

It has been demonstrated that the work of the CCICED is both important and effective. The work conducted by the BWG is an excellent example. The Group has functioned as an important channel of communication for conservation of biological diversity in China and abroad, just as provided for by its mission and terms of reference, as stated at the inception of the CCICED: "to further strengthen cooperation and exchange between China and the international community in the field of environment and development." Accordingly, the work of the BWG has been widely recognized both domestically as well as internationally as providing a clear direction for biodiversity conservation in China.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the two terms of CCICED chairmanship, Chinese and international secretariats, as well as Members for their valuable contributions to the BWG. Special thanks are given to our former BWG Chairman, Dr. John MacKinnon. His talents and knowledge of China formed the very foundation for the establishment and successful operation of the Group. We are grateful to all BWG members and invited specialists, either Chinese or international, existing or former, for their good-will cooperation and sincere professional responsibilities. The success of the Group is due to the concerted efforts of all. We will not forget the kind support of the Chinese financial department, CIDA, EU, WWF, IUCN and DFID, and the current support of BGEF, UNDP and UNF. The assistance from Norwegian NORAD is particularly noteworthy. Last, but not least, we want to thank the coordinator of BWG, Dr. Xie Yan. Her unselfish and exceptional work have made such activities as projects, communication, information systems, and publications proceed smoothly and constructively.

The present Proceedings contains part of the annual reports and achievements during the Phase II work of the BWG. It can be seen from the Proceedings that, in light of China's focus on western development, BWG has dealt with some topical issues in China and abroad, such as functions and restoration of ecosystems, invasive alien species, bio-security, strategies and action plans of biological diversity, species information systems, community-based conservation, etc. For the ease of target readers, the Proceedings are published as usual in both Chinese and English. Volunteers involved in translation, editing, reviewing and designing of layout of the Proceedings include Dr. Chris Wozencraft, Prof. Andrew Smith, Mr. Robert Parry-Jonnes, Prof. Jiakun Song, Colby Loucks, Wu Lihui, Guo Yinfeng, Du Youmei, Liu Xiaojun, Qin Hua, Chen Ying, Zhang Di, and others.

In addition, the two brochures on "Restoring China's Degraded Environment -- The Role of Natural Vegetation" and "Guidebook of Biodiversity Principles for Developers and Planners" were recently by the BWG. It is hoped that these publications will be of use in conserving China's biodiversity during the process of ecosystem restoration and economic development.

We sincerely look forward to continued support, cooperation and assistance from organizations and individuals in China, as well as from the international conservation community in the future.

Peter Johan Schei
WANG Sung

Co-chairs, BWG/CCICED
22 September, 2001