China is a land of great beauty and contrasts, ranging from the spectacular snow covered Himalayan peaks to the coastal mangrove swamps, and from dry deserts to tropical rainforests. In this vast country live many animals and plants found nowhere else on earth, including the Giant Panda which has become an internationally recognized symbol of conservation. China, which ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for the richness of its flora and fauna, is a key country for WWF's global conservation efforts.