Along with continuous and rapid development of economic construction in China,the rigid demand of timber is increasing continuously,and the issue of timber safety is extensively concerned.Based on the results of previous national forest inventories of China,the basic situation of timber resources,such as ownership,origin,age group and tree species,and distribution characteristics and development trends of timber resources in China were firstly described.Then,the timber production in the past 70 years,current timber demand and timber safety were analyzed.Finally,some suggestions were put forward on ensuring timber safety from following five aspects:building national reserve forest base,cultivating precious-species and large-diameter timber forests,strengthening scientific forest management,advocating timber saving and substitution,and guiding and regulating timber import.