Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Lu Youqing
The directive was issued in a statement by the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Lu Youqing, following reports that three of its citizens had been arrested over elephant tusks smuggling.
The statement said the Chinese government was holding discussion with the Tanzania authorities on the issue. The statement further said that the Chinese government had always attached great importance to the protection of wildlife, promulgated a series of laws and regulations, and set up a National Inter-Agency CITES Enforcement Collaboration Group (NICECG) mechanism.
Moreover, the statement said, the Chinese State Forestry Administration had set up a special armed anti-poaching team, adding that China led the world on severe punishment in cases of wild animal protection violation including ivory smuggling and dealing in its products.
The country has also actively participated in international law enforcement cooperation to crack down on criminal activities, especially on smuggling and trading in ivory and its products.
Last February the Chinese government successfully carried out Operation COBRA, a cross-continent joint special operation to combat illegal wildlife trade together with 22 countries in Asia and Africa.
Ambassador Youqing strongly condemned the killing of elephants and ivory smuggling and firmly supported the Tanzania government action to fight ivory smuggling, adding that China was willing to actively provide help.
“The Chinese government and police are ready to work together with their Tanzanian counterparts to crack down on criminals according to the law.
“The majority of Chinese citizens are able to abide by local laws in Tanzania and take part in legitimate businesses. China’s national image has been severely undermined by the illegal or bad behaviour of quite a few Chinese nationals,” he said. In2EasstAfrica
0 comments:
Post a Comment