From August 30-31, the 23rd Annual Conference (Forum) of the Chinese Society of Forestry Economics was held in Harbin. The event was organized by the Northeast Forestry University College of Economics and Management, the Heilongjiang Provincial Think Tank for Modern Forestry and Carbon Sink Economic Development, and the Forestry Enterprise Management Research Committee of the Chinese Society of Forestry Economics. Experts, scholars, and Master’s and doctoral students attended the conference, coming from several forestry and agricultural universities including Beijing Forestry University, Northeast Forestry University, Nanjing Forestry University, Northwest A&F University, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Southwest Forestry University, Zhejiang A&F University, as well as from institutions such as the Development Research Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, and Renmin University of China.

The conference, themed “High-Quality Development of the Forestry and Grassland Industry under Chinese Modernization,” was attended by Li Shuming, President of the Chinese Society of Forestry Economics; Li Shuxin, Director and Party Secretary of the Development Research Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration; Chen Jiancheng, Chair of the Organizing Committee of the China Forestry Economics Forum and Professor at Beijing Forestry University; and Sun Meng, Secretary of the NEFU CPC Committee. They delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Zhang Yuxing, Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Forestry Economics.

On behalf of the university, Sun Meng extended congratulations on the conference's convening and expressed gratitude for the long-term support from all parties. He noted that this symposium meets the needs of the times and carries deep significance. He stated that he looks forward to strengthening exchanges and jointly exploring scientific pathways to realize the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” thereby contributing forestry wisdom to the achievement of Chinese modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature.

Li Shuxin emphasized that forestry-related institutions should concentrate on forestry and grassland projects, support national strategies, deepen theoretical and policy research, focus on transforming research results and collaboration, and utilize the society’s platform to achieve high-quality outcomes.

Li Shuming expressed his respect for researchers in forestry economics and emphasized that society will strengthen its role as an academic platform, expand perspectives, enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration, and promote high-quality, sustainable development in forestry economics.

Chen Jiancheng emphasized that the forum will enter a new phase, address emerging issues in forestry and grassland development, balance ecological conservation with industrial growth, and help create a new model of harmony between humans and nature.

The forum opened with a keynote session, followed by speeches at nine concurrent sub-forums, and concluded with a closing keynote. The opening keynote was chaired by Ma Guoyong, Dean of the NEFU School of Economics and Management. Speakers included Luo Biliang, Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts at South China Agricultural University and a leading figure in philosophy and social sciences under the Ministry of Education and the National Talent Program; Li Qiaoyu, Deputy Director of the Forestry Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Huang Dong, Deputy Director and Researcher at the Development Research Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration; Chen Shaozhi, former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Forestry; and Zhang Pengyuan, Chairman of Chengde Huajing Activated Carbon Co., Ltd.

The nine parallel sub-forums held in-depth discussions on the following nine themes: “Ecosystem Services and Ecological Compensation,” “National Parks and the Carbon Sink Economy,” “Forestry Industry Development and Forest Products Trade,” “Realization of Ecological Product Value,” “Artificial Intelligence and New-Quality Productivity in Forestry,” “Forestry Policy and Forest Rights System Reform,” “Climate Change and Green Technology Economic Responses,” “Reform and Development of State-owned Forest Areas,” and “Journal Editors’ Exchange Meeting.” Participants shared the latest research findings, cutting-edge theoretical insights, and practical developments.

The closing session was led by Fu Xiaodong, Party Secretary of the NEFU College of Economics and Management. Distinguished speeches were given consecutively by Professor Kong Fanbin from Nanjing Forestry University, Professor Ke Shuifa from Renmin University of China, Professor Cheng Baodong from Beijing Forestry University, and Professor Cao Yukun from NEFU.