Drawing on best practices to improve quality and efficiency, and safeguarding the geological treasures of the Qinling Mountains. From October 29 to November 1, the 2026 China UNESCO Global Geoparks Annual Meeting and the Seminar on High-Quality Development of Global Geoparks during the 15th Five-Year Plan Period were held in Xingwen County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province. Guided by the Sichuan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Yibin Municipal People's Government, the event was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (National Geopark Network Center) and the Xingwen Global Geopark Administration. Under the theme "Mutual Learning and Joint Innovation," representatives from geopark authorities at provincial, municipal and county levels, and from global geoparks and candidate sites across China, gathered in Xingwen to discuss the protection and utilization of geological heritage and to chart a new chapter for high-quality development of global geoparks during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark was invited to attend.
During the meeting, the geopark actively engaged with various parties and held in-depth exchanges. It made a special report to relevant officials of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration on progress in implementing rectification measures for the geopark's UNESCO revalidation, and discussed and consulted with the National Geopark Network Center on boundary adjustment. It also had in-depth exchanges with the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and sector experts on key work including geopark construction and management, integrated innovation in scientific research and science outreach, and community co-building and sharing.
The geopark listened carefully to sharing on the development achievements of global geoparks across China, witnessed the release of the 2026 China Global Geoparks Xingwen Consensus, and proactively benchmarked against and learned from sister geoparks' best practices in geological heritage protection, brand building, and operational improvement.
Next, Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark will translate the outcomes of the annual meeting into concrete actions, focus on the 2027 revalidation task, and continue to strengthen the foundation of standardized management. It will upgrade science outreach platforms and enrich geoscience study tour products to further enhance its geoscience outreach profile. It will deepen collaboration with sister geoparks at home and abroad, promote the conversion of world-class brand value, and support ecological protection in the Qinling Mountains and green, high-quality regional development.
