Abstract: Based on sustainable development of forest resources, it is very essential to evaluate regional forestry development potentiality, carry out the rational strategy of promoting the development of forest resources, and increase the forestry development potentiality. In this study, 27 provinces in China were selected to research the change of national forest resources based on the effects of forest resources data from local governments. The data of “China Forestry Statistical Yearbook in 2008” and the factor analysis were used to transform the 10 main indices of reflecting the forestry development potentiality into 5 main analysis factors, and the 27 provinces in 2008 were ranked. The results revealed that the forestry development was quite different from different regions at the aspects of occupancy, management, quality, natural regeneration, cultivation and human transformation of forest resources. The potentiality of forestry development in the provinces in south China was much higher than that in north China. Some suitable measures were put forward so as to increase the stumpage volume of collective forests in south China, continue and deepen the reform and innovation of management of the stateowned forest resources, and develop vigorously the forest tourism in China.

Key words: factor analysis, forest resources, development potentiality, index system, China