China's Forest Product Imports and the Impacts on Tropical Forests

China's forest product imports have surged over the past two decades, fueled by robust economic growth and an inadequate domestic timber supply. In 2017, China implemented a complete logging ban in its natural forests, further widening the domestic timber supply gap. Many observers highlight the large and expanding trade volume as a significant driver of deforestation and forest degradation, especially in tropical regions. This research investigates the relationship between China's imports of wood-based forest products and tropical forest loss (deforestation), as well as the impacts of China's complete logging ban in natural forests in shaping this relationship. I found that the logging ban has contributed China's timber imports from both provincial-level and supplying countries' analyses. However, economic development, wood products exports, and forest endowment have also played important roles. I found a positive relationship between China's imports of wood-based forest products and the forest loss across all tropical countries, except in Latin America. Additionally, land conversion to agricultural production and pasture for livestock, and rural population are important drivers of the tropical forest loss. The analysis results provide insight into the complex policy, environmental, and economic factors influencing China's imports and tropical forest loss. This research offers valuable guidance for the Chinese government in crafting balanced policies that protect domestic forests while addressing tropical deforestation.