China, S. Africa in joint efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade

A workshop hosted by World Wildlife Fund(WWF), in collaboration with the Chinese and South African governments, took place in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The workshop was held in a bid to raise awareness among Chinese nationals working and living in South Africa.

Representatives from Chinese state-owned enterprises, private businesses and local communities attended the workshop.

China has taken action to curb wildlife poaching and trade. Earlier this year, China's State Forestry Administration (SFA) announced the extension of bans on ivory imports and a new one on the import of pre-CITES ivory. The three bans will last to the end of 2019.

Last September China and the US announced a joint commitment to tackling illegal international ivory trade.

At the workshop, Li Nan, a project manager with WWF, hailed China's efforts to support wildlife conservation in Africa under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Zhang Xiang, Deputy Secretary General of the China International Contractors Association (CICA), emphasized that Chinese corporates should take their social and environment responsibility in Africa seriously and introduce a guidance for business practices in Africa.

Zhang Shanning, the Enforcement Division Chief of China's CITES MA, said that wildlife conservation is a cause for all mankind and should be observed by the international community.

Zhang said China stands alongside the international community to combat illegal wildlife trade, and the country's overseas citizens should take their responsibility to comply with CITES and relevant national legislations seriously.

In South Africa, home to around 80% of Africa's estimated 25,000 rhinos, the number of poached rhinos has risen from 13 in 2007 to 1,175 in 2015. Across Africa, a record 1,338 rhinos were poached in 2015. Enditem