The 2015 Annual Meeting on China’s UNESCO Global Geoparks was held from April 28th to 29th, 2015, in Dali Mt. Cangshan UNESCO Global Geopark in China’s Yunnan Province. Attendees included Chen Xiaoning (chief of Geological Environment Department of the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources), Yuan Xiaohong (director of Geological Environment Department of the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources), Dong Shuwen (Director of GGN Office), Zheng Yuan (Chinese Geoparks Network Coordinator), Tian Zhong (First Secretary of Science and Technology of the Permanent Delegation of the People’s Republic of China to UNESCO), Jin Xiaochi (Vice President of the Executive Board of GGN), and other geological experts. Meanwhile, 33 UNESCO Global Geoparks in China also dispatched representatives to attend, including the ones dispatched by Mt. Funiushan UNESCO Global Geopark Administration and its subsidiary parks.

        At the meeting, Chen Xiaoning, chief of Geological Environment Department of the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources, put forward a five-point proposal regarding the future work of China’s UNESCO global geoparks as follows. First, Chinese geoparks should positively respond to GGN’s reform initiatives and take an active part in its activities in an effort to boost international publicity. Second, Chinese geoparks should prepare for the quadrennial evaluation and revalidation conducted by the Executive Board of GGN on a regular rather than temporary basis. Third, Chinese geoparks should enhance their internal strength rather than relying on external assistance, such as taking concrete measures to improve staff proficiency and competence in knowledge of both foreign languages and geosciences. Fourth, Chinese geoparks should avail themselves of every opportunity to seek international publicity and expand international influence. Fifth, Chinese geopark superintendents should view their participation in international conferences as a golden opportunity to be cultivated into more qualified members of the GGN community rather than as a sightseeing experience. On such occasions, they are expected to carry out publicity activities, take part in panel discussions with experts and their global counterparts, boost communication and cooperation among themselves, et cetera.

       In light of the spirit and requirements coming out of this annual meeting, Mt. Funiushan UNESCO Global Geopark Administration and its subsidiary parks will carry out relevant academic, educational and/or promotional activities to fulfill its obligations as a member of GGN, such as taking measures to forge high-caliber geopark tour guides, holding geopark-related symposiums and training classes, setting aside a week for popular science education, celebrating World Earth Day, holding tour guides competitions, deepening exchange and cooperation with sister parks, et cetera.