An environmental scientist in Australia has called on the international community to strengthen cooperation on jointly protecting migratory birds, expressing admiration for China's effective actions in protecting endangered bird species and their habitats.
Over the years, China has been committed to strengthening ecological conservation and protecting endangered birds and important habitats for them, achieving remarkable results.
Professor Richard Fuller at the University of Queensland, which has one of Australia's top environmental science research teams, has dedicated his studies on the impact of human activity on the natural environment.
Over the years, he has exchanged views with scholars and experts from countries along the East Asian-Australian Flyway, such as China, Japan and South Korea, on issues like migratory bird protection and research.
"There are millions of birds that migrate between Australia and China and Russia and back again every year, passing through 20 countries around Asia. And also, many of the important remaining sites have been declared as world heritage areas by the Chinese government. And I think that's help to slow down the declines of these migrating birds. This is a really big step within our flyway," said Fuller.
In July this year, the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II) has passed the review process to be included on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
As part of the world's largest intertidal wetland system, this area within the Yellow Sea Ecoregion provides vital habitats for birds migrating along the East Asian-Australian Flyway.
This has caught Fuller's attention. He called on more countries to strengthen international cooperation and jointly protect migratory birds.
"I think China has showed actually quite strong leadership in our flyway, and I think other countries are following and do need to follow that lead, but also, there is a need to aim even higher. So, countries need to work together to work out what threats do they need to manage within their country border, collaborating in building that end to the overall picture, because the birds move across country borders. That means we need to collaborate internationally to do the right actions," he said.
Scientist lauds China's efforts on migratory bird protection, calls for int'l cooperation
