The SOClO-economlc benefits of establishing National Geoparks in China

Since 2000, based on a wealth of geological heritage sites and experience with their conservation, China has formally approved the establishment of forty four National Geoparks, whose distribution and characteristics are dominated by structural setting and neotectonism. Conserving and developing the sites have brought about favorable social, economic and environmental benefits, and created a positive climate for their inclusion in the worm Geopark network under the patronage of UNESCO.