Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 6, 2014. The United States commends the Government of the People’s Republic of China for destroying more than five tons of ivory, in Guangdong Province today.
Destroying illegal wildlife products demonstrates a strong commitment to ending wildlife trafficking, a global challenge with conservation, economic, health and security dimensions that affects all nations. China’s action, building on similar events held in the United States, Kenya, Gabon and the Philippines, will send a powerful message to wildlife poachers and traffickers and to the consumers of illegal wildlife products.
Today’s event – as well as the U.S. Ivory Crush held in Denver, Colorado in November 2013 – is a concrete action to realize commitments made at the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in July 2013, including to strengthen law enforcement and reduce the supply of and demand for illegally traded wildlife.
U.S. Government officials from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and our Mission in China participated in the day-long event. The United States remains deeply committed to working in partnership with governments, local communities, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others, to strengthen the global commitment to combat wildlife trafficking.
Source: state.gov
