China illegal ivory trade fight defended

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China illegal ivory trade fight defended*

Beijing | July 18, 2008 12:01:13 AM IST

 

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman rejected any criticism of his

government's fight against illegal ivory trade.

 

Commenting on an NGO report critical of China's program, Liu Jianchao said

it is unfair and twists facts, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

 

Conservation groups have come out strongly against this week's decision by

the U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species approving

the sale of African elephant ivory to China.

 

In its decision, the U.N. agency said China -- one of the largest importers

of elephant ivory -- has dramatically improved its enforcement of ivory

rules. The decision will allow China to bid on a stock of more than 100 tons

of ivory obtained from culling and from elephants that had died of natural

causes in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Conservation groups

condemned the decision, saying it would only fuel demand and encourage

poaching. They say African elephant populations have fallen to about 625,000

from 1.3 million a decade ago.

 

Liu said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection

of wild animals, including elephants.

(UPI)

 

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