Multi-designated geoparks face challenges in China''s heritage conservation
中国遗产保护中地质公园面临的挑战

The author selects a thorny issue of doubled designations that bother policy-makers, professional planners and managers in the field of conservation for protected areas. The analyzed case study areas cover 5 National Geoparks of China in Sichuan Province, 18 UNESCO Global Geoparks in China, and 219 World Heritage sites in China and 8 European nations. Through analysis and synthesis, the author concludes that doubled designation, which also leads to unbalanced park distribution, is particularly prevalent in China other than in Europe. Therefore, on-site management agencies and related governments in China should carefully translate the doubled designations into responsibilities and harmonious partnerships between all stakeholders in order to enhance the management effectiveness and avoid paper park phenomenon.