Hong Kong to ban import, export of ivory

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Wednesday that the Hong Kong government will kick start legislative procedures as soon as possible to ban the import and export of elephant tusks.

Delivering his annual policy address at the Legislative Council, Leung said the government is very concerned about the illegal poaching of elephants in Africa.

It will also actively explore other appropriate measures, such as enacting legislation to further ban the import and export of ivory and phase out the local ivory trade, and imposing heavier penalties on smuggling and illegal trading of endangered species.

"Meanwhile, the government will strengthen enforcement and take rigorous action against the smuggling and illegal trade in ivory," he added.

Leung said the government is now consulting the public on the formulation of the first Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Hong Kong, with a view to implementing enhanced measures on nature conservation and supporting sustainable development in the coming years.

The government has earmarked additional resources to take forward the relevant initiatives, which include promoting awareness and knowledge of biodiversity among stakeholders and the general public, enhancing conservation of ecologically important areas and species, carrying out studies on biodiversity, and monitoring the biodiversity trends, he said. Endit