Approval for Foreigners Conducting Field Surveys on National Key Protected Wild Plants Managed by Agricultural and Rural Authorities in China

I. Basic Information

1. Department Name: Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hainan Province

2. Service Targets: Natural persons, enterprise legal entities, public institution legal entities, social organization legal entities, and other organizations

3. Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00–12:00 and 14:30–17:30 (closed on weekends and public holidays; no seasonal schedule adjustments in Hainan)

4. Address:

Minsheng Education Service Window, 1st Floor, Hainan Government Affairs Service Center, No. 3 Wuzhishan South Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province

5. Contact Information:

(1) Phone: 0898-65203110

(2) Online inquiry: [wssp.hainan.gov.cn](http://wssp.hainan.gov.cn)

(3) Email: [nyspb@126.com](mailto:nyspb@126.com)

(4) Supervision and complaints: 0898-12345

6. Statutory Processing Time Limit: 20 working days

7. Committed Processing Time Limit: 17 working days

II. Application Materials

1. Application Form for Foreigners Conducting Field Surveys on National Key Protected Wild Plants Managed by Agricultural and Rural Authorities in China (2 originals)

Source: Obtain at service window or download from the Government Service Website

Legal Basis: Article 21 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wild Plants

Acceptance Criteria: The form must be fully and accurately completed with no omissions, stamped with an official seal, and consistent with applicant information.

Filling Instructions: Complete all items truthfully. The original should be clearly scanned and properly formatted. The legal representative (or applicant) must sign and affix an official seal or fingerprint.

2. Project Documentation (1 photocopy)

Source: Prepared by applicant

Legal Basis: Article 21 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wild Plants

Acceptance Criteria: The scanned copy must be clear and properly formatted. The project plan should be detailed, truthful, and feasible.

Filling Instructions: Include project approval documents, task statements (contracts), and implementation plans. Chinese-language versions must be provided.

3. Passport (1 photocopy)

Source: Provided by applicant

Legal Basis: Article 21 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wild Plants

Acceptance Criteria: A valid passport for travel to and from mainland China must be provided. The scanned copy must be clear and properly formatted.

III. Acceptance of Conditions

1. The purpose of the survey is limited to scientific research or tourism;

2. The survey area must not be in prohibited zones or under military jurisdiction;

3. The applicant must agree to supervision by local agricultural authorities;

4. The activity must not endanger the environment or cause the loss of the surveyed species;

5. The applicant must possess legally required approval documents.

IV. Legal Basis

Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wild Plants (State Council Order No. 204, promulgated on September 30, 1996, amended by State Council Order No. 687 on October 7, 2017), Article 21(2):

“Foreigners conducting field surveys on national key protected wild plants under the administration of agricultural authorities within China shall obtain approval from the agricultural administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality where such plants are located.”

Decision of the State Council on the Fourth Batch of Cancellations and Adjustments of Administrative Approval Items (State Council Document No. 33 [2007]), Appendix 2, Item 5: “Approval for Foreigners Conducting Field Surveys on National Key Protected Agricultural Wild Plants in China” — delegated to provincial-level wild plant administrative authorities for implementation.

V. FAQs

Q: Will government personnel participate in the actual field survey?

A: Provincial and municipal (county-level) supervisory departments may participate and oversee the process as needed.

Q: What counts as a wild plant?

A: Wild plants are naturally growing species of value—precious, endangered, or rare—found in their native habitats with significant economic, scientific, or cultural importance.

Q: What are national key protected wild plants?

A: They are divided into Category I and Category II species. The list is formulated by the forestry and agricultural authorities of the State Council, in consultation with relevant departments, and approved and announced by the State Council.