Green timber preferred overseas but not locally

Forest farms and timber producers that have green certificates to trade internationally are having a difficult time selling their eco-friendly products on the domestic market.

The certificates, issued to help consumers choose products that meet social and environmental standards, are not as sought after among Chinese consumers as they are in Europe.

Chen Qinglai, a manager at Paiyangshan Forest Farm in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said the economic benefits of responsible and sustainable forestry have not been recognized yet in China.