From Dec. 13 to Dec. 14, 2016  the Application and Revalidation Symposium of Global Geoparks in China was held in Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark. The meeting was co-hosted by Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, National Geoparks Network Center and Danxiashan Administrative Committee. More than 70 representatives from 20 provinces including 23 geoparks and related technology supporting units as well as representatives of Tianzhushan geopark attended the meeting.

On Dec. 13, Yuan Xiaohong, section chief of Geological Environment Department of the Ministry of Land and Resources, Fang Weimin, inspector of Land and Resources Bureau of Guangdong Province and Wang Weiyang, deputy mayor of the People’s Government of Shaoguan City attended the symposium and gave speeches on the opening ceremony. Jin Xiaochi, member of UNESCO Global Geopark Council and Deputy President of Global Geopark Executive Board, Zheng Yuan, office director of National Geoparks Network Center, and the deputy director Zhao Zhizhong conducted the meeting. Representatives from Inner Arxan, Zigong, Leiqiong, Danxiashan, Huangshan and Hengshan geoparks introduced their application, extension and revalidation experience, and representatives from Dabieshan and Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe geoparks reported their preparation work for the application of UNESCO Global Geopark. Han Jinfang and Huang Wen, two field experts of UNESCO Global Geoparks, introduced their evaluation work in foreign geoparks this year. Participants actively discussed the international significance of geoheritage, boundary, scopes of three designations of UNESCO, network contribution and community involvement and shared their experiences to jointly promote the protection, management and construction of geoparks.

On Dec. 14, representatives inspected the geo-museum and investigation trails of Danxiashan on the spot, meticulously learnt about their visibility, explanation system, protection of geo-heritage, cultural inheritance, eco-protection, scientific research and science popularization, local economic development and strategic partnership, etc.