Taxus chinensis is a species of yew. It is commonly called the Chinese yew, though this term also refers to Taxus celebica or Taxus sumatrana. This plant is used to produce medicines for cancer treatment, including Paclitaxel and Taxifolin (found in Taxus chinensis var. mairei). It can also be used in many other ways and is protected in various ways under Chinese and international law. This protection is in place due to the species' importance to cancer treatment, and its susceptibility to anthropomorphic disturbance. Currently, the species is suffering the consequences of its economic and scientific exploitation for the production of the aforementioned anticancer drugs.