China Pledges Responsible Timber Amid Illegal Logging Risk Data

Macao Forum Addresses Timber Sourcing

This week in Macao, China affirmed its commitment to forest conservation and responsible timber trade during the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum. Che Weng Keong, president of Macao's Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), conveyed President Xi Jinping's pledge to over 800 delegates from 49 countries.

Macao, promoted by its government as a key connector between China and the Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking world, hosted the event. More than 30 percent of the overseas participants came from these regions and Southeast Asia. The forum's attendance increased by 12 percent since its last occurrence, following the cancellation of the 2025 edition due to Super Typhoon Ragasa.

Import Data Reveals High-Risk Sourcing

The commitment to responsible trade emerges as new analysis by resource economist Dr. Tyron Venn indicates that 61.3 percent of China's wood imports originate from countries identified as having an elevated risk of illegal harvesting.

China's 2025 customs returns to the UN Comtrade database show the nation imported US$16.3 billion in wood and wooden furniture while exporting US$29.8 billion. African nations collectively supplied US$792 million of these imports, with Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon as the primary contributors.

Mozambique's recorded shipments to China were valued at US$18.3 million. Other significant timber origins included Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Ecuador, while major export destinations included the Netherlands, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

New Initiatives and Bilateral Agreements

The forum introduced six new initiatives, including a price index on the Global Timber Index, an industry data platform, and a blockchain system for timber tracing that is now operational in Macao. On the opening day, two agreements were signed, totaling 2 billion Macao patacas, to establish industry trading and green procurement platforms.

Among the attendees were Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, and Cameroon's Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo, alongside senior officials from Gabon, Peru, and Togo.

Mozambique's National Director of Forests and Wildlife, Imede Chafim Falume, also attended, expressing his government's intention to revise its forestry agreement with Beijing. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), based in Yokohama, has co-hosted the forum with IPIM since 2023, and organizers are already accepting pre-registrations for a 2027 forum.

Action for Asian Building Material Procurement

For Asian procurement teams and specifiers sourcing timber and wood products, China's pledge and the associated import risk data highlight an increasing need for supply chain transparency. With 61.3 percent of China's wood imports from high-risk sources, buyers should proactively inquire about the origin and legality of timber.

The new blockchain tracing system operating in Macao and the green procurement platforms offer tools to verify sustainable sourcing. Companies importing from or through China, including major Asian trading partners like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, should prepare to request documentation proving legal harvesting and sustainable practices. This trend suggests a growing demand for certified timber and verifiable supply chains across the region.