North China's Hebei Province has set a goal to build up advanced forest ecological and industry systems by the year 2020, according to a recent provincial conference on forest development.

Under the scheme undertaken through three phases, local areas covered by forest are to increase to 23 percent in 2005, or 65 million mu (4.3 million hectares), 26 percent in 2010, or 74 million mu (4.9 million hectares), and 30 percent in 2020, or 85 million mu (5.67 million hectares).

The output value of local forestry will increase to 45 billion yuan (US$5.4 billion) in 2005, 60 billion yuan (US$7.2 billion) in 2010, and 100 billion yuan (US$12 billion) in 2020.

The deteriorating ecological situation in some areas in the province will be eased in 2005 and greatly improved in 2010. A forestry industry system will take form in 2005 and will be upgraded in 2010.

By the year 2020, some 35 percent of urban areas in Hebei will be covered by greenery, with the coverage in local rural areas reaching 30 percent.