180 paleontologists worldwide appeal for fossil protection in NE China

HARBIN -- An international forum on fossil protection was held Sunday in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, attracting over 180 paleontologists worldwide, according to the organizer.

The paleontologists from more than ten countries including Russia, Japan and France exchanged views on fossil protection, tourism featuring geological cultures, the study of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary and other issues in Jiayin County in the province.

The county is home to the first K-Pg boundary layer discovered in China, which marks the period when the extinction of dinosaurs and other species occurred about 66 million years ago.

Paleontologists have made great achievements in the study of paleontological fossil in the county in past years, said Volker Mosbrugger, an academician of the German Academy of Sciences, adding that the forum promoted the development of paleontological study and the tourism in the county.

The four-day forum was hosted by Paleontological Society of China, during which seminars, field research and other events will be held.