On July 28, the Department of Natural Protected Areas Management of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration convened a special symposium to discuss the Proposal for Accelerating Nature Reserve Legislation and Encouraging Public Participation in Nature Reserve Governance submitted by Shen Guojun, CPPCC National Committee member, Founder and Chairman of Yintai Group, and Executive Chairman of the Paradise International Foundation.

Yintai Foundation, The Paradise International Foundation and the Land Trust Alliance were among the entities invited to join the symposium so that broad consultation could be sought on topics such as “the participation of social organizations in nature reserve governance”.

Shen Guojun has consistently performed his duties enthusiastically, set a good example, and been passionate about ecological and environmental conservation as well as other philanthropic undertakings. From 2018, this is the third consecutive year Shen has submitted a proposal related to nature reserves. In 2018, he submitted a proposal to the State to actively promote the development of ecological reserves. During the 2019 NPC and CPPCC session, he made a proposal for conservation easement. In its reply to the proposal, the Ministry of Natural Resources said that “Committee Memer Shen Guojun’s proposal was very constructive and had practical significance. The Ministry of Natural Resources shall actively study the legal system and relevant policies related to conservation easement.”

In 2020, Shen continued to offer advice on exploring a social participation model that involves public interest governance, community governance and co-governance. He said that an administrative contract method could be adopted whereby social organizations or communities are encouraged to manage nature reserves, and members of the public encouraged to volunteer to join in the management of nature reserves.

“Ecological and environmental conservation is a systemic program that requires long-term commitment and perseverance. We will continue to monitor and commit to conservation, and will continue explore and introduce new methods and approaches that will allow public interest organizations and social capital to take part in the conservation of natural resources.” Shen said. “As a CPPCC member and an entrepreneur, I have a mission to continue to promote ecological and environmental conservation, and actively carry out the green development strategy of the Party and the country,”