Mount Wuyi

About 24,500 people in 14 villages lived in the site in 2012, most of whom are subsistence farmers. The boundary modification of the property extending into Jiangxi adds two villages to the buffer zone but no additional residents inside the property (State Party of China, 2017). Nonetheless, there is inherent conflict in that protection of the site involves reducing the area used for bamboo and tea cultivation and a lack of alternative livelihood offered in compensation (IUCN 2006). Historically, there have been no reports of engagement with local people in the management of the property (State Party of China, 1998; World Heritage Committee, 2012; WCMC, 2011), however more recent consultation with management of the site suggests that local community consultation has been part of the process in compiling the new 'Wuyishan World Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Management Plan'. Wuyishan National Park departments —natural resources, ecology, forestry, water conservancy, and public security—have worked closely, establishing efficient coordination mechanisms via joint meetings and inspections. They have also encouraged social participation, creating a model of government-led, collaborative park management (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024). A shift seems to be occurring in the holistic consideration of ecological protection, green development, and the improvement of people's livelihoods (IUCN consultation, 2024). Key priorities include the development of a sustainable tea industry that aligns with the preservation of environmental and cultural heritage resources.

The entire Mount Wuyi property is owned by the People’s Republic of China (State Party of China, 1998; World Heritage Committee, 2012; WCMC, 2011; State Party of China, 2017). All areas of the enlarged World Heritage property are located within strict protection zones of national level protected areas, and are thus fully protected by national and provincial laws and regulations (State Party of China, 2017). Since October 2021, Wuyishan has been established as National Park. The Wuyishan National Park spans Fujian and Jiangxi provinces. In May 2024, the two provinces enacted coordinated legislation (the "Fujian Wuyishan National Park Regulations" and the "Jiangxi Wuyishan National Park Regulations") to establish unified provincial management standards for the first time. This ensures consistent ecological protection policies. The core protection area is strictly protected, focusing on preserving Danxia landforms and primary forests. The general control area allows moderate use through eco-tourism and green industries to achieve sustainable resource utilization (China News Network, 2024). However, issues still appear to exist, such as insufficient joint law enforcement and the need for better cross-regional collaboration between Fujian and Jiangxi.

The governance framework is characterized by government leadership, interdepartmental collaboration, and societal engagement. The management of Wuyishan National Park operates under a dual leadership system led by the Fujian and Jiangxi provincial governments, with oversight from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The management institution is responsible for tasks such as investigating, monitoring, and assessing natural resources, implementing ecological protection and restoration, managing concession operations, enforcing natural resource and forestry laws, and promoting social participation and public awareness. Multiple departments—natural resources, ecology, forestry, water conservancy, and public security—have worked closely, establishing efficient coordination mechanisms via joint meetings and inspections (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024). In November 2021, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces jointly initiated the compilation of the overall plan. Based on pilot experience, they analyzed current conditions and issues, aligned with regional plans, surveyed project intentions, and solicited input from relevant departments and stakeholders. Key tasks such as protection, monitoring, scientific support, education, and community development were outlined. In 2023, the "Wuyishan National Park Overall Plan (2023-2030)" was approved by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (Fujian Daily, 2023; Ministry of Financial Planning, 2023).

The protection, management, and sustainable development of this heritage site are integrated into local, national, and regional planning systems. On October 12, 2021, China established its first five national parks, including Wuyishan. Also in 2021, the Fujian Provincial Government issued a notice outlining measures to support the development of Wuyi New Area and accelerate Nanping's green and high-quality growth. The measures emphasize strengthening the protection and scientific utilization of Wuyishan National Park, promoting coordinated economic and ecological development, fostering regional coordination, and establishing a platform to connect with the Yangtze River Delta integration, a base for deepening Fujian-Taiwan cultural and tourism integration, and a new growth pole in the Min Northeast region (Fujian Provincial People's Government, 2021).

In 2017, China proposed a minor boundary modification to the Mount Wuyi World Heritage site to include valuable habitats on the Jiangxi side of the mountain. This proposal, evaluated and approved at the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee, extends the property by 7,069 ha (from 99,975 ha to 107,044 ha) and the buffer zone by 6,721 ha (from 34,050 ha to 40,170 ha) (World Heritage Committee, 2017). The added northern areas enhance representation of Southeast China's subtropical mountains, providing wilder natural habitats for endemic and rare species and including species from the Yangtze watershed (State Party of China, 2017a,b). IUCN evaluated the proposal, supported it, and recommended approval by the World Heritage Committee (IUCN, 2017).

Part of the Wuyishan National Park in Fujian Province was designated a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1987 (UNEP-WCMC, 2011). According to the Regulations of Wuyi Mountain National Park in Fujian Province, a management mechanism is established with the park's management institution as the main body. Local governments at city, county, and township levels, sub-district offices, and village committees collaborate in management, ensuring clear responsibilities and mutual coordination. The park’s management institution and local governments jointly protect and manage the world cultural and natural heritage within the park, while strengthening the protection of natural and cultural resources and the environment (The Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Fujian Province, 2024).

In 2017, the heritage site underwent a minor boundary modification following the WHC's decision. The changes included: 1) Conducting further studies on the cultural values of the property; and 2) Providing detailed justification for the buffer zone delineation and a topographical map related to surrounding villages and the Wuyi Mountain National Reserve (Jiangxi Province) by 1 February 2018. However, since 2012, only a Periodic Report has been submitted, with no recent SOC or Periodic Reports.

In the "Overall Plan for Wuyishan National Park (2023-2030)", the construction of scientific research platforms for promoting the response of the ecosystem to climate change and the improvement path of carbon sinks in the national park has been proposed (Wuyishan National Park, 2023). The heritage site has also taken the following specific measures. 1) Strengthen infrastructure construction: In 2019, the Wuyishan National Park Meteorological Station was officially established; A plan is in place to build an integrated sky-ground-space observation system to quantitatively assess the impact of meteorological disasters and climate change on typical ecosystems and issue timely ecological risk warnings (wysxww.com, 2019).
2) Enhance international cooperation and exchanges: The Wuyishan National Park Administration and the Crater Lake National Park in the United States jointly signed the "Declaration on Strengthening Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation", exchanging experiences on carbon storage changes and adaptive management strategies for climate change, as well as sharing experiences in monitoring ecological environment elements, responding to climate change, and protecting biodiversity (Fujian Administration of Wuyi Mountain National Park, 2023a).

In 2023, the "Wuyishan National Park Overall Plan (2023-2030)" was approved by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (Wuyishan National Park, 2023; Ministry of Financial Planning, 2023). The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has established a tripartite coordination mechanism with the Fujian and Jiangxi provincial governments to promote national park construction through central and local collaboration. Both provinces, as national ecological civilization demonstration zones, leverage their strengths to focus on ecological protection and view the Wuyishan National Park as a flagship project for this initiative. However, there are challenges in cross-regional coordination and unified law enforcement (Wuyishan National Park, 2023).

The Wuyishan National Park spans Fujian and Jiangxi provinces. In May 2024, the two provinces enacted coordinated legislation (the "Fujian Wuyishan National Park Regulations" and the "Jiangxi Wuyishan National Park Regulations") to establish unified provincial management standards for the first time. This ensures consistent ecological protection policies. However, there are still issues such as insufficient joint law enforcement and the need for better cross-regional collaboration between Fujian and Jiangxi.

The financial budget for the property primarily comes from central and provincial governments. Funds are allocated to ecological protection, operations management, and coordinated development. Comprehensive performance management and fund supervision ensure efficient and standardized use of these funds. For example, Fujian Province has increased financial input to address the protection and development challenges in building the Wuyishan National Park. It views this as a key component of its National Ecological Civilization Pilot Zone initiative. First, it has improved the fiscal system by issuing a national park fiscal reform plan. This includes managing national park institutions as provincial-level budget units, establishing a special fund for ecological protection, and formulating fiscal policies to strengthen provincial financial support. Second, it has coordinated funds from central and provincial sources, investing a total of 3.342 billion yuan since 2017 (averaging 477 million yuan annually) in the national park and surrounding areas (China Finance, 2023).

Staffing and training opportunities are considered adequate (IUCN consultation, 2024). The site has carried out the following work in terms of capacity building and training for its management personnel. 1) Comprehensive Business Training for Administrative Law Enforcement in 2024 (Wuyishan National Park Law Enforcement Detachment, 2024); 2) A comprehensive law enforcement business training course in 2023 (Wuyishan National Park Law Enforcement Detachment, 2023); 3) National Park Publicity, Education and Management Training Course in 2024 (Southeast Coastal News, 2024).

The excellent ecological environment, rich history, and diverse species make the property an ideal site for nature education. There are several cultural and natural museums and a great deal of literature is available for visitors (State Party of China, 1998; WCMC, 2011). In 2023 and 2024, UNESCO hosted two "Youth into Forest" programs here. The park has established science exhibition halls and organized events like the Ecological Culture Festival and Nature Observation Festival to promote ecological awareness. Recently, it has built multiple ecological education bases, including a national youth green camp, providing venues for students and the public. It integrates school education with nature education through activities such as ecological expeditions and science classes in schools, enhancing its brand image. The park also conducts ecological culture research, publishing books and periodicals on local ecological resources. These efforts have made ecological protection a societal trend, fostering widespread participation in conservation (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024).

In recent years, Wuyishan City has leveraged the heritage site's influence to integrate into the development and protection zone around Wuyishan National Park. It has created the high-standard National Park No. 1 Scenic Road, a 251-kilometer route that serves as a guide for exploring Wuyishan culture. In 2023, Wuyishan City welcomed 15.5 million tourists and generated 21.6 billion yuan in tourism revenue. Along the scenic road, Nan Yuanling Village now has 180 homestays, providing local employment and income growth. However, enhanced monitoring and management of the impact on the heritage site are still needed (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024).

Sustainable agriculture, subsistence bamboo forestry, and tourism have been recurrent issues. Recently, the Wuyishan National Park Administration has guided tea farmers to implement ecological renovations, enhancing biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of tea gardens. This has reduced management costs and improved tea quality. In 2023, 15,600 mu of green ecological tea garden demonstration plots were established, bringing the total to 132,600 mu. The entire tea industry chain's output value grew by 8%. To achieve a win-win for ecological protection and community development, the site has improved its ecological compensation mechanism, introduced an "ecological protection + community development" model, and implemented employment guidance and training. Villagers are encouraged to participate in concession operations, resource protection, and tourism services. The site also recruits ecological and green space guardians, guiding residents to contribute to national park construction. These efforts aim to resolve conflicts between conservation and community development, increasing residents' income and sense of gain and happiness (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024).

In this property, to achieve high-standard protection and quality development, Wuyishan National Park has established a two-tier management system of "Administrative Bureau and Management Stations" for meticulous oversight. It uses advanced technologies like UAV patrols, satellite imagery comparisons, and infrared cameras to create an integrated "air-space-ground" monitoring network, enabling comprehensive and real-time ecosystem monitoring. According to monitoring data, currently, the forest coverage rate of Wuyishan National Park has reached 95.8%, with a forest stock volume of 9.6765 million cubic meters; there are 769 species of wild vertebrates; 3,404 species of wild higher plants; the water quality compliance rate at major river sections is 100%, and the water quality of the Nine-Bend Stream Basin remains at Class I all year round. The air quality consistently ranks among the top in the country (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024). However, areas within the Mount Wuyi Heritage Site but outside the national park, such as the south of the Nine-Bend Ecological Reserve, lack relevant environmental and biodiversity infrared monitoring.

The Wuyishan National Park Research and Monitoring Center is responsible for organizing and implementing scientific research and monitoring work within the park, covering multiple aspects such as ecosystems, flora and fauna resources, water, air, soil, microorganisms, forestry pests and diseases, and cultural heritage (Zhang Hui, 2021). The Wuyishan National Park Research Institute is jointly established by Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and the Wuyishan National Park Administration. It integrates the university's resources and platforms, builds interdisciplinary research teams based on relevant colleges, and introduces the Forest Park Engineering and Technology Research Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to provide technical support (New Chongqing-Chongqing Daily Selection, 2024). By adopting the strictest ecological protection policies, implementing the strictest ecological protection standards and measures, the ecological protection achievements of Wuyishan National Park have been increasingly evident, and its biodiversity has become more abundant. In recent years, the park has witnessed the first monitoring of the Eurasian otter, a second-class protected animal, and the re-emergence of a number of flagship species such as the Chinese pangolin and the black muntjac, which had not been seen for many years. Since its establishment, Wuyishan National Park has discovered 39 new species, including the Wuyi Mountain frog and the Wuyishan orchid. Since the pilot program of the national park system was launched, a total of 44 new species have been discovered and announced (National Forestry and Grassland Administration, 2024).

Through the comprehensive development and implementation of the Wuyishan National Park and the surrounding protection and development belt, the core values of the heritage site have been effectively safeguarded. Tourism infrastructure development and climate change might poses potential threats to the subtropical forests in the site.

Some issues mentioned in the last assessment, such as the bamboo cultivation and agricultural runoff along with domestic sewage and waste production, had been addressed by the site management, particularly in the part of the property which is to be included in the National Park, and therefore awarded the highest level of protection in national legislation. Tourism infrastructure development is a concern in the property as visitor numbers are increasing. Climate change might poses potential threats to the subtropical forests in the site.