China has made substantive progress in preserving biodiversity within its territory, contributing significantly to global biodiversity protection, Kyrgyz environmental expert Baktybek Saipbaev said in an interview with Xinhua ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity, which falls on May 22.

BISHKEK, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China has made substantive progress in preserving biodiversity within its territory, contributing significantly to global biodiversity protection, Kyrgyz environmental expert Baktybek Saipbaev has said.

China's vision and actions in preserving biodiversity are beyond praise, said Saipbaev in an interview with Xinhua ahead of the International Day for Biological Diversity, which falls on May 22.

The outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development proposed to implement major biodiversity conservation projects, with a focus on protecting flagship and key species, as well as strengthening the protection and restoration of important habitats, ecological corridors and migratory bird flyway corridors, which he said reflects China's forward-looking vision in biodiversity conservation.

What impressed Saipbaev most is China's protection of the giant panda, a national treasure.

China has not only established reserves for this rare species but also created conditions for reintroducing pandas into the wild, the expert said. "The increase in their numbers is already a reflection of how China's biodiversity conservation situation has improved."

On marine protection, Saipbaev said China has repeatedly expressed willingness to contribute to global ocean governance.

China has put forward the vision of building a maritime community with a shared future, he said, depicting it as a clear reflection and profound interpretation of the country's proposed vision of forming a community with a shared future for humanity.

Meanwhile, China has for years devoted itself to marine pollution control, established laboratories for marine ecological monitoring and the development of restoration technologies, and conducted joint maritime patrols with other countries to safeguard international maritime security and the order of fishery production, he added.

"All this demonstrates that China is an important and responsible maritime country, making a significant contribution to global ocean protection and sustainable development, while promoting multilateral cooperation in this field," he said.

Saipbaev also highlighted the potential for biodiversity cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan.

China has rich experience in protecting rare species such as the giant panda, the expert said, noting Kyrgyzstan is currently working to protect the snow leopard, one of the country's most representative species, as well as its prey animals -- Marco Polo sheep, argali, deer, roe deer and saiga antelope.

"All these species require conservation measures. This requires effort, including both human and material resources. And in this regard, China could be of great help to Kyrgyzstan," he said.

Saipbaev said the two countries could strengthen cooperation in such areas as monitoring rare species populations, compiling a list of endangered species, and studying the migration routes of local animals, jointly contributing to biodiversity conservation in Kyrgyzstan and the broader Central Asian region.