Published by ChinaMNC · Taocheng

Hengshui's Forest Chief System: What Foreign Founders Need to Know About Local Environmental Compliance

Hengshui's forest chief system demonstrates local enforcement of environmental regulations. For foreign founders, understanding these rules is key to compliant operations in China.

Hengshui's Forest Chief System: A Model for Local Environmental Governance

On October 20, 2026, the Hengshui Municipal People's Government held a press conference to update on the city's forest chief system (linzhangzhi). The system, which assigns specific officials responsibility for forest and wetland resources, has led to significant progress in afforestation and forest management. For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China, such local environmental governance structures are important to understand, as they can affect land use, construction, and operational compliance.

High-Level Coordination and Multi-Departmental Collaboration

Hengshui has implemented a tiered forest chief system with officials at the city, county, township, and village levels. This year, city and county authorities convened nine general forest chief meetings and issued 22 general forest chief orders. These officials conduct regular patrols and inspections to address challenges such as applications for central government-funded afforestation projects and the management of poplar and willow catkins.

The city has also promoted a "forest chief+" collaboration mechanism, engaging departments such as publicity, water resources, culture and tourism, and public security and judicial bodies. This approach strengthens coordination between administrative and criminal enforcement and supports key initiatives like the ecological restoration of Hengshui Lake, eco-tourism, green corridors, and the construction and management of parks and green spaces.

To ensure accountability, Hengshui maintains an updated list of forest chiefs and their areas of responsibility. As of now, the city has appointed 8,131 forest chiefs at all four levels, along with 5,700 forest rangers and 1,084 law enforcement personnel. Additionally, 3,891 forest chief information boards have been installed to inform the public. This robust framework clarifies responsibilities for forest resource protection and development.

Afforestation and Forest Management Exceed Annual Targets

Hengshui has actively engaged the public in tree planting through various forms, including afforestation, tending and management, and tree adoption. City and county authorities organized 14 "Internet Plus" public voluntary tree planting events and 112 targeted voluntary planting activities. These efforts have broadened participation and expanded coverage.

As a result, the city has completed 12,900 mu (approximately 860 hectares) of afforestation and 172,500 mu (about 11,500 hectares) of forest tending. Both figures surpass the annual targets ahead of schedule, reflecting significant improvement in forest resource quality.

Strict Protection of Forest and Wetland Resources

Hengshui enforces a strict quota and permit system for tree harvesting, along with a comprehensive regulatory checklist. The city has approved a harvesting volume of 47,000 cubic meters. It also implements forest land use control, reviewing 25 construction project applications that involve a total forest land area of 23.7323 hectares.

The city continues to reform the collective forest rights system, exploring a mechanism to separate ownership, contract rights, and management rights for collective forest land. This aims to facilitate orderly transfers of forest rights and improve protection and management. Pilot projects in Taocheng District and Wuyi County are testing innovations in harvesting approval management and collective forest rights acquisition and operation models.

In natural protected areas and wildlife conservation, Hengshui is optimizing the spatial layout and steadily implementing wetland protection and restoration. The "Hengshui Wetland Protection Plan (2026-2030)" has been approved by the municipal government. The city has also completed the 2025 survey and evaluation of national key wildlife resources and conducted special actions such as "Net Shield," "Clear Wind," and "Three-Year Escort." A total of 196 wild animals were rescued and 25 wildlife administrative licensing matters were processed.

Disaster Prevention and Control Measures

Hengshui focuses on source control for forest fire prevention, continuing a special campaign to clear combustible materials under forests. The city conducts a forest and grassland fire prevention publicity month to educate the public on fire safety laws and regulations. Emergency response systems have been improved, with maintenance of firefighting materials and patrol equipment and practical drills. In the first three quarters, no general or larger forest fire incidents occurred.

For pest control, the city adheres to a strategy of preventing the introduction of pine wilt disease and controlling outbreaks of the American white moth. It conducted systematic surveys of pine shoot borers and an autumn census for pine wilt disease. Integrated pest management covered 1.034 million mu-times, achieving zero major pest disasters and zero introductions of quarantine pests.

Implications for Foreign Founders

For foreign entrepreneurs setting up a company in China, local environmental policies like Hengshui's forest chief system can have practical implications. If your business involves land development, construction, or operations that may impact forest or wetland resources, you must navigate approval processes and comply with regulations. Understanding the roles of forest chiefs and the collaboration among departments can help you anticipate requirements and avoid delays.

Additionally, if your operations involve tree harvesting or land use changes, you will need to obtain permits and adhere to quotas. The city's focus on wetland protection and wildlife conservation may also affect project planning in or near protected areas.

China's environmental regulations are enforced at the local level, and each city may have specific rules and procedures. Foreign founders should conduct due diligence and engage local experts to ensure compliance.

As Dong Liang, a third-level researcher at the Municipal Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, stated, the city will focus more on improving quality, promoting industry, and benefiting the people, aiming to balance planting and management, ecology and industry, and humanity and nature. This indicates a continuing emphasis on sustainable development, which could influence future regulations.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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