East China's Jiangsu Province plans to establish a new wetland reserve in Qidong County at the mouth of China's Yangtze River to protect biological diversity in the area.

The wetland reserve, covering 477.34 square kilometers, is rich in biological resources, including many kinds of plants and 132 marine species.

It is also an excellent refuge for migrant birds, such as swans,marabous and cranes, on chilly winter days to find their winter shelter.

The establishment of the reserve is aimed at protecting the local environment and wild life, ensuring the sustainable development of aquatic production, and transforming the area into a bioenvironmental protection model, according to local officials.

(People's Daily February 2, 2003)