In Fact: How valuable are China's National Parks?

China's environmental record is often reduced to urban air quality or industrial pollution, but its natural world is far richer and more complex. As one of the most biodiverse countries, ranking third globally after Indonesia and Brazil, China boasts expansive deserts, towering mountains, tropical forests, and vast river valleys. Remarkably, 42% of its land remains wilderness. Beyond biodiversity, however, lies the story of its green transition.
In 2021, China launched its first five national parks, aiming to establish the world’s largest national park system by 2035. This ambitious project, in one of the most populous countries, raises critical questions: How will these parks operate? What implications do they hold for global conservation?
To explore this, CGTN Europe partnered with environmental photographer and filmmaker Kyle Obermann. Fluent in Mandarin and deeply familiar with China's wilderness, Kyle documents the country's lesser-known natural landscapes. His documentary episode, In Fact: How Valuable Are China’s National Parks?, is part of In Fact with Kyle Obermann, a five-episode series delving into China's evolving green transition.
Despite the scale of these changes, they remain underappreciated in the US and Europe. Traditional documentaries, while powerful, often rely on personal stories and anecdotes, which fail to fully convey the global significance of China’s transformation. In Fact instead adopts a dispassionate, studio-based approach designed to appeal to a broad audience, presenting facts to engage diverse viewpoints without taking a partisan stance.
Through thorough research, expert interviews, and compelling visuals, In Fact distills complex environmental issues into concise, accessible insights for younger audiences. Its minimalist design, bold yet simple graphics, and straightforward narrative amplify the impact of its message. The episodes have garnered nearly 2.5 million views on CGTN Europe’s YouTube channel, underscoring their resonance with viewers.
By offering a fresh perspective on one of the world’s most significant environmental stories, In Fact bridges gaps in understanding and highlights the importance of China’s green transition for global conservation efforts.