# Catalogue of Life China > online database of taxa in China **Wikidata**: [Q111196018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111196018) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/catalogue-of-life-china ## Summary Catalogue of Life China is an online database that catalogues taxa within China. It serves as a biological database and reference work, available in both Chinese and English. The project is formally recognized in the *Encyclopedia of China* (third edition). ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Catalogue of Life China - **Aliases**: CoL-China, CoL China - **Primary Function**: Online database of taxa in China - **Country of Focus**: People's Republic of China - **Official Website**: http://www.sp2000.org.cn/ (served in Simplified Chinese) - **Instance Of**: Website, biological database, book series, reference work - **Documented In**: Baidu Baike (Chinese encyclopedia) - **Languages**: Chinese, English - **Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) ID**: 185778 - **Encyclopedia Editor**: Xiaolei Huang - **Encyclopedia Title**: 《中国生物物种名录》 (Chinese Biological Species Catalogue) ## FAQs **What is Catalogue of Life China?** It is an authoritative online database that compiles and provides access to taxonomic information on all known species within China. The resource functions as both a dynamic biological database and a formal reference work. **What types of information does it contain?** The database focuses on taxonomic data, organizing and documenting the scientific names, classifications, and relationships of species found in China. Its scope encompasses the full range of China's biodiversity. **In which languages is it accessible?** The primary website interface is in Simplified Chinese, but the database's content and its formal recognition are also presented in English, making it a bilingual resource. **How is it formally classified or categorized?** It is classified as a website, a biological database, a book series, and a reference work. These multiple classifications reflect its dual nature as a digital platform and a citable scholarly publication. **What major reference works document it?** It is described as an entry in Baidu Baike, a major Chinese online encyclopedia. Furthermore, it is the subject of a dedicated entry in the print *Encyclopedia of China* (third edition), edited by Xiaolei Huang. ## Why It Matters Catalogue of Life China is the foundational taxonomic backbone for biodiversity science, conservation, and policy within China. It solves the critical problem of data fragmentation by providing a single, authoritative, and standardized source for species names and classifications. This consistency is essential for ecological research, environmental impact assessments, conservation planning, and international biodiversity reporting. As China's national contribution to the global Catalogue of Life partnership, it ensures Chinese species data is integrated into worldwide biodiversity informatics, facilitating global research and monitoring efforts. Its existence as a formal reference work also lends it academic credibility and permanence. ## Notable For - **National Authority**: It is the definitive, state-recognized catalogue of species for the People's Republic of China. - **Bilingual Publication**: Uniquely operates and is documented in both Chinese (Simplified) and English, bridging domestic and international scientific communities. - **Hybrid Form**: Its classification as both a dynamic online database and a static book series/reference work is unusual, combining real-time updates with citable publication. - **Encyclopedic Recognition**: Its inclusion as a dedicated entry in the authoritative *Encyclopedia of China* (third edition) signifies its status as a key scientific resource. - **Integrated Platform**: Served from a single web domain (sp2000.org.cn), it provides a unified access point for complex taxonomic data. ## Body ### Identity and Classification Catalogue of Life China is defined by its core purpose: maintaining an online database of taxa in China. Its formal classifications are multifaceted. It is an **instance of** a website, a biological database, a book series, and a reference work. This reflects its operational reality as a digital platform and its scholarly status as a published catalogue. The entity is also known by the aliases **CoL-China** and **CoL China**. Its geographic and taxonomic scope is explicitly the **People's Republic of China**. ### Digital Platform and Access The project's primary digital presence is its official website at **http://www.sp2000.org.cn/**. This domain serves the web interface, and the resource is explicitly associated with the **Simplified Chinese** language through a qualifier on its website property. This indicates the primary user interface and administrative language of the platform. ### Documentation and Recognition The Catalogue of Life China is formally **described by source** in **Baidu Baike**, China's largest online encyclopedia, with a specific entry dedicated to it. This provides a popular, Chinese-language overview for the general public. Its scholarly and encyclopedic significance is further cemented by its inclusion in the print **Encyclopedia of China (third edition)**. For this edition, it is assigned the unique identifier **185778**. The entry was contributed by editor **Xiaolei Huang** and is titled **《中国生物物种名录》** (*Chinese Biological Species Catalogue*), which is the official Chinese title for the work. ### Linguistic and Editorial Scope The work's **language of work or name** is explicitly **Chinese and English**. This bilingual nature is a key characteristic, supporting both domestic usage and international scientific collaboration. The editorial leadership for its encyclopedic treatment is attributed to **Xiaolei Huang** within the context of the *Encyclopedia of China*. ### Conceptual Context: The "Website" Class The source material provides contextual data about the general class "website" to which Catalogue of Life China belongs. The class "website" has an **inception** date of **1990**, referencing the early development of the World Wide Web. This is a property of the class itself, not a founding date for Catalogue of Life China. The class also has a **sitelink_count** of **158**, indicating the number of Wikipedia sitelinks for the "website" concept, which is metadata about the class and not the specific entity. ## References 1. [Source](https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E7%94%9F%E7%89%A9%E7%89%A9%E7%A7%8D%E5%90%8D%E5%BD%95/12709554)