The First International Conference on Geoparks opened in Beijing on Sunday. More than 500 represent atives from over 40 countries and regions are attending the meeting.

Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan sent a congratulatory letter to the conference, saying that geological heritages, formed by millions of years-long evolution, vividly show the Earth history. China has a large number of unique geological heritages, because of its vast territory and sophisticated geological features.

"The Chinese government has established 85 state geoparks in response to UNESCO's call of building up a geopark network and worked out and implemented a series of policies and measures to better protect its geological heritages," Zeng said, adding that "the move will not only be beneficial to the spread of geological knowledge, but promote the development of the country's tourism."

He noted that the First International Conference on Geoparks, which was a milestone along the international geopark development history, would offer an opportunity for Chinese experts to learn precious experience about geological heritages protection from overseas counterparts.

Walter R. Erdelen, assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences under the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), said on the conference's opening ceremony that the history of the planet earth was inscribed in its landscapes, its mountains and in its rocks beneath our feet.

"We should strive to preserve this geological heritages because it is of aesthetic, cultural and scientific significance and because we recognize that it has nature conservation values."

"However, the record of the Earth's history is fragile, it must be safeguarded and protected. Therefore, the creation of a UNESCO Network of national Geoparks should be considered," he added.

On the opening ceremony, Professor Ed de Mulder, president of the UNESCO's Geological Sciences Union, announced the 25 UNESCO-identified world geoparks, including eight Chinese ones, namely Huangshan Mountains in Anhui Province, Lushan Mountains in Jiangxi Province, Yuntaishan Mountains in Henan Province, Stone Forest in Yunnan Province, Danxiashan Mountain in Guangdong Province, Zhangjiajie Nature Reserve in Hunan Province, Wudalianchi in Heilongjiang Province and Songshan Mountains in Henan Province.

Others on the list include two in Austria, two in France, three in Germany, two in Greece, two in Italy, two in Spain, three in the United Kindom and one in Ireland.

The three-day First International Conference on Geoparks was jointly sponsored by the UNESCO and the Ministry of Land and Resources of China. With the theme of "geological heritage protection and sustainable development", the conference is expected to adopt the charter on international geopark conference and Beijing declaration on geological heritage protection.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2004)