Abstract: Based on comparison of Chinese nature reserve classification with IUCN protected area catagories,it is recommended that a new nature reserve classification system of China should be established in light of the status quo of the conservation of biodiversity,natural and cultural resources in China,and by referring to IUCN protected area categories.The new system should adopt major management targets of each reserve as its basic principle for the sorting and meanwhile take into account comprehensively characteristics of protected objects and extent of human disturbance,so as to realize the dual targets of conservation and sustainable development of nature reserves.

Key words: nature reserve, classification, category, management, international union for the conservation of nature and natural resources(IUCN), China