China will strengthen cooperation with Myanmar on the management of border lumbering and on the protection of wild animals, according to the State Forestry Administration (SFA).

Some Chinese citizens and enterprises have been hired or independently engaged in lumbering and timber business in Myanmar, said SFA spokesman Cao Qingyao.

China has held two rounds of consultations with Myanmar since 2006 to properly address the problem, he said.

The administration is actively discussing with Myanmar in an effort to sign a memorandum of understanding on forestry cooperation and a protocol on forest firefighting, Cao said.

According to him, the provincial government of Yunnan in southwest China, which neighbors Myanmar, has formulated policies on timber transportation and processing.

Since March 2006, the provincial government has ceased the approval of individuals and companies to lumber in Myanmar and import timber from Myanmar.

Timber smuggling has been cracked down upon. Altogether 81 cases have been investigated since 2004, Cao said.