The State Council issued a circular approving changes at five national nature reserves: Xiaowutai Mountain in Hebei province; the leopard seal reserve in Dalian, Liaoning province; Yanming Lake in Jilin province, and Wudalianchi and Dongfanghong wetlands in Heilongjiang province.

According to the circular, the Ministry of Environmental Protection will set the scope and functions of the nature reserves, and related provinces and cities should mark out land ownership and boundaries in line with the approved plans.

Efforts should be made to supervise work on natural reserves, and coordinate between reserves and local economic growth, said the circular.