Bonn, 8 November 2016 - CMS Executive Secretary, Bradnee Chambers has just completed a three-day visit of China, where he met ministry officials, participated in a workshop, attended an award ceremony for children’s paintings and visited two conservation areas.

Conservation Meeting

Mr Chambers attended the first “Ecological One Belt One Road and CMS Workshop” in China. The meeting was hosted by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) with the support of CMS and IUCN China. It was held at the Chinese Senate (the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference - CCPPC) in Beijing.

Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment Protection, State Forestry Administration and State Oceanic Administration attended the meeting. Mr Chambers gave a speech describing CMS and its work and highlighting how China was making great strides towards implementing the Aichi Targets and protecting migratory species.

The representative of State Forestry Administration agreed to enhance cooperation with CMS. The Ministry of Agriculture which is in charge of all the aquatic species in China reported on its work and admitted that improvements were necessary in how marine species were protected. The Ministry was committed to strengthen its research efforts and would continue to discuss internally the possibility of joining CMS.

Participants at the workshop also discussed the most effective ways of protecting the migratory species in China and heard a presentation on the achievements of China’s Conservation Areas.

China’s First International Children’s Environment Painting Awards

Mr Chambers attended China’s first International Children’s Environment Painting Awards where he presented prizes to the winners in addition to giving a speech as well as watching the children’s performing opera, dancing and drumming.  The ceremony was broadcast worldwide on CCTV.

At the event, Mr Chambers noted that the competition had appealed to thousands of children from more than ten countries. Despite the fact that these children spoke different languages and were of different ethnicities and cultures, they shared a common passion for preserving our Earth.

The meeting was hosted by CBCGDF and China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, as well as the Master Hsing Yun Cultural Education Foundation.

Release of Birds

Mr Chambers visited the China Conservation Area for Waterbirds at Tangshan City and China Conservation Area for the Relict Gull at Tianjin City.

These two China Conservation Areas are protecting and rehabilitating key CMS species such as Relict Gulls, Red Knots and Far Eastern Curlews.

Mr Chambers released some Common Shelducks, Grebes, an Eagle Owl and a Sparrowhawk with the staff of the China Conservation Area. More than 50 volunteers and scientists witnessed the beautiful moment.

Mr Chambers highly praised the work of the China Conservation Areas saying that the volunteers, who dedicate their time every day to the rehabilitation and protection of birds and their habitat for some of the most highly threatened species, set an amazing example for conservation efforts worldwide.

CBCGDFwill attend the 45^th meeting of the CMS Standing Committee taking place 9-10 November 2016 in Bonn to formalize its future cooperation with the Convention.