China reiterates pledge to end ivory smuggling
The Chinese embassy in Nairobi on Monday said it was committed and was taking “strong action” to stop the smuggling of ivory to its country.
Mr Shifan Wu of the embassy’s Chief Information and Public Affairs section told the Nation that his government had deployed mechanisms in China and Kenya to discourage the illegal trade.
He said through the Chinese legal system, many criminals found engaging in the illicit ivory trade had been arrested, prosecuted and jailed, with some facing life sentences.
Mr Shifan was responding to a report by the Elephant Trade Information System which said main destination points for the illicit trade were China and Thailand.
The report also revealed that notorious transit locations on the way to destination countries were Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Mr Shifan noted that many shipping containers had been intercepted in Hong Kong and other ports.
“The government is also educating the people on the dangers the African elephant is exposed to by having television stations air programmes highlighting the issue to discourage people from engaging in ivory trade,” he said.
The official added that when Chinese tourists arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, they promptly receive a text message warning them not to buy ivory products. The messages are sent by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
