A senior forestry official yesterday described some foreign media reports on China's illegal logging abroad as "unrealistic".

"China abides by the rule of mutual benefit when logging in other countries," said Cao Qingyao, spokesman for the State Forestry Administration (SFA) at a regular press conference. "It always cracks down on illegal logging firmly and has gradually co-operated with some countries."

He called for joint efforts to curb illegal logging, saying that both producing and importing countries should strengthen administration and supervision.