China's snow leopard population doubles to around 5,000

China's snow leopard population has doubled to about 5,000 since systematic conservation efforts began in 2013, with the species' habitat expanding to about 2.08 million square kilometers, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said on Thursday.

The figure means China now accounts for more than 60 percent of the global snow leopard habitat, the administration said in a media release on Friday, which coincided with the International Snow Leopard Day.

China is also home to the world's largest snow leopard distribution area and the biggest population of the species, the release said.

Known as the "king of the mountains", the snow leopard is a national first-class protected animal in China, as well as a flagship and umbrella species of high-altitude ecosystems. Its presence is considered an important indicator of the integrity, stability and health of alpine ecosystems.

Zhang Xinyi contributed to the story.