This study investigates the potential of carbon sequestration in Chinese forests through optimal management. Using a process-based biogeochemical model and national forest inventory data, the research projects an increase in biomass carbon stock by 13.6 ± 1.5 Pg C from 2020 to 2100, with additional sink contributions from wood product pools and optimized forest management. The study highlights the importance of considering wood harvest and forest demographic changes in long-term projections, as neglecting these factors can lead to premature shifts in carbon sink peaks by 1–3 decades. The findings emphasize the need for swift implementation of optimal forest management strategies to enhance carbon sequestration. Forests play a crucial role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss. China, with the largest planted forest area globally, is expected to be a significant and persistent carbon sink. However, estimates of China's forest carbon potential remain inconsistent due to uncertainties in data, accounting methods, and management strategies. The study addresses these challenges by integrating key factors such as tree species selection, wood harvesting practices, and forest demographics to improve projections of forest biomass carbon potential. The study quantifies forest biomass carbon stock dynamics across China from 2020 to 2100, leveraging detailed tree-level data from the National Forest Inventory. It employs both statistical and process-based models to project carbon stock and sink. The results show that forest biomass carbon stock will increase to 21.6–24.3 Pg C in 2100, with a sink potential of 11.2–14.8 Pg C. The study also highlights the importance of considering wood harvest impacts, as neglecting these can lead to significant biases in carbon sink projections. The study further examines the spatial distribution of projected carbon stock and sink, revealing that non-timber forests contribute the most to carbon sink. The results indicate that the carbon sink will peak in the 2050s, emphasizing the need to consider forest age and harvesting practices in carbon sink projections. The study also discusses the importance of promoting long-lived wood products to enhance carbon residence time in the biosphere. In conclusion, China's forests are poised to function as a substantial net carbon sink, sequestering an estimated 172.3 ± 16.9 Tg C yr⁻¹ over the course of 2020–2100. Through optimal management practices, an additional sink of 28.1 ± 0.4 Tg C yr⁻¹ can be achieved. The study underscores the distinct role played by China's forests in influencing carbon sink/source dynamics, highlighting the importance of implementing carbon sink enhancement practices.This study investigates the potential of carbon sequestration in Chinese forests through optimal management. Using a process-based biogeochemical model and national forest inventory data, the research projects an increase in biomass carbon stock by 13.6 ± 1.5 Pg C from 2020 to 2100, with additional sink contributions from wood product pools and optimized forest management. The study highlights the importance of considering wood harvest and forest demographic changes in long-term projections, as neglecting these factors can lead to premature shifts in carbon sink peaks by 1–3 decades. The findings emphasize the need for swift implementation of optimal forest management strategies to enhance carbon sequestration. Forests play a crucial role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss. China, with the largest planted forest area globally, is expected to be a significant and persistent carbon sink. However, estimates of China's forest carbon potential remain inconsistent due to uncertainties in data, accounting methods, and management strategies. The study addresses these challenges by integrating key factors such as tree species selection, wood harvesting practices, and forest demographics to improve projections of forest biomass carbon potential. The study quantifies forest biomass carbon stock dynamics across China from 2020 to 2100, leveraging detailed tree-level data from the National Forest Inventory. It employs both statistical and process-based models to project carbon stock and sink. The results show that forest biomass carbon stock will increase to 21.6–24.3 Pg C in 2100, with a sink potential of 11.2–14.8 Pg C. The study also highlights the importance of considering wood harvest impacts, as neglecting these can lead to significant biases in carbon sink projections. The study further examines the spatial distribution of projected carbon stock and sink, revealing that non-timber forests contribute the most to carbon sink. The results indicate that the carbon sink will peak in the 2050s, emphasizing the need to consider forest age and harvesting practices in carbon sink projections. The study also discusses the importance of promoting long-lived wood products to enhance carbon residence time in the biosphere. In conclusion, China's forests are poised to function as a substantial net carbon sink, sequestering an estimated 172.3 ± 16.9 Tg C yr⁻¹ over the course of 2020–2100. Through optimal management practices, an additional sink of 28.1 ± 0.4 Tg C yr⁻¹ can be achieved. The study underscores the distinct role played by China's forests in influencing carbon sink/source dynamics, highlighting the importance of implementing carbon sink enhancement practices.