BEIJING, Dec. 29 -- China has made notable progress in the conservation of forestry and grassland germplasm resources during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), official data showed.

Over the past five years, China has collected around 147,400 forestry and grassland germplasm samples, representing a 180 percent increase compared with the level recorded at the end of 2020, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Key genetic resources of important native tree and grass species, as well as those of rare and endangered ones, have been effectively conserved. The utilization rate of improved varieties for major afforestation tree species has risen to 76 percent, up from 65 percent at the end of 2020.

Over the past five years, China rolled out a range of measures, including a three-year action plan, to strengthen the protection and utilization of forest and grassland germplasm resources, enhance breeding and innovation capacity, and improve market oversight.

To date, the country has established a network of seven national germplasm resource facilities, alongside 209 in situ and ex situ conservation facilities nationwide.