Topic

China’s Famous Natural Resources and Specialty Products

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China has an abundance of renowned natural resources and specialty products. They are closely related to their natural, socio-economic, and cultural environments and there is no surprise at this plethora when one considers the country’s size.

 

China’s land accounts for one-fifteenth of all the land in the world and abuts the Pacific Ocean along two coasts. There are wide expanses of flat and fertile land, endless fertile prairies, and towering lush mountains. From north to south, China covers several climate zones: frigid, temperate, and tropical. Various ethnic groups of Chinese have lived and worked on the land over the centuries. Thanks to their hard work, there are countless unique local products from various regions. Time-honored traditional agricultural, forestry, husbandry, and fishery practices produce specialties known worldwide because of their unequalled quality.

 

There are many rare animals, such as the giant panda, golden monkey (snub-nosed monkey, Rhinopithecus), milu deer (elaphure, Père David’s deer, Elaphurus davidianus), and Chinese river dolphin (white-fin dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer). Rare plants include the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), wangtian tree (Parashorea chinensis Wong Xie), the tree fern Cyathea spinulosa, and ginseng (Panax ginseng). Various special fruits include jujube (Ziziphus jujube), Chinese kiwi (Actinidia chinensis Planch), citrus, lychee (Litchi chinensis), and longan (Dimocarpus longan). Local special products are tea (Camellia sinensis), silk, wine, and soybeans (Glycine max). Medicinal materials include danggui (Angelica sinensis), dangshen (Codonopsis pilosola), pseudo-ginseng (Panax notoginseng), and Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis). Besides natural and special products, there are beautiful handicrafts, including porcelain, embroidery, batik, and Yangliuqing new year woodblock prints. As for regional foods, delicate dishes such as mapo doufu (pockmarked grandma’s tofu), fotiaoqiang (Buddha jumps over the wall), qiguoji (steam pot chicken), and dim sum are all well-known in our modern times.

 

The giant panda, a national treasure, has a long history. As early as 600,000 years ago, the giant panda lived together with the roofed-tooth elephants (Stegodon) and giant apes (Gigantopithecus). Together, they formed a typical animal community in southern China. When the Quaternary glaciation (also known as the Pleistocene glaciation) began, the temperature dropped drastically, and the living environment deteriorated. The giant panda’s living areas were gradually reduced, and eventually were limited to the Hengduan Mountains, northwestern Sichuan, and some narrow areas in Gansu and Shaanxi.

 

The rich cultural background of the products can be seen through the interesting allusions or stories attached to them. The stories about lychees recorded in historical records are too numerous to be mentioned individually. Wine is indissolubly associated with the legendary Du Kang (reputed to be its inventor). There are also stories associated with the origin of fireworks and firecrackers, the various kinds of products made from sheep skin recorded in pre-Qin documents, as well as many others—these were the stories cited with great gusto by people of later generations.

 

Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes the principle that humankind is an integral part of nature. This way of thought advocates that a benevolent person consider heaven, earth, and all things are as one, and must maintain a harmonious and co-existent relationship with nature. This concept is very much consistent with the modern principles of environmental protection. In recent years, China has spared no effort protecting rare species and resources. Through education, the importance of protecting natural resources and the environment are gradually taking root in the hearts of the younger generations.

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Last updated:
2020-07-13