Exploring the Feasibility of Building Parks for Peace in China: From Global Cases to Localized Solutions

The “Parks for Peace” concept represents transboundary protected areas with ecological, cultural, and economic significance that can transcend geopolitical and ideological differences. Despite the global proliferation of these conservation models, China lacks officially designated peace parks and comprehensive development frameworks in this domain. This research addresses this gap through rigorous methodological approaches. The study conducts fieldwork in existing parks for peace and border national parks, collecting data through field observation, open-ended interviews, and informal conversations. The case analysis method is employed to analyze spatial relationships across different border contexts comparatively. This comparative analysis explores the feasibility of transboundary national parks by examining development bottlenecks, deconstructing rigid border narratives, and assessing long-term cultural benefits. Based on empirical findings, the research proposes a context-appropriate framework for Chinese border national parks encompassing four dimensions: establishing a transfrontier national park system, implementing multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms, building consensus around park cultural values, and developing transboundary recreational infrastructure.