The populations of rare and endangered wild species steadily increased in China as the country's biodiversity conservation efforts continued to produce notable results, official data showed Thursday.

More than 200 species of rare and endangered wild animals across the country have shown population recovery, while over 100 endangered plant species have been brought under emergency protection, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The total number of overwintering waterbirds recorded in China reached nearly 5.06 million last year, a record high since nationwide monitoring began, the administration said.