China has made solemn representations to the United States regarding the issue of pangolin trade
Statement by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China on the Recognition of the US Department of the Interior on the Trade of Pangolins
On September 8th, the US Department of the Interior ignored China's great efforts and significant achievements in protecting the global pangolin, and determined that Chinese citizens engaged in pangolin trade and acquisition activities are weakening the effectiveness of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This move by the United States is another example of its abuse of long arm jurisdiction, which violates objective and fair basic principles and is extremely detrimental to global cooperation in the protection of pangolins. The State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China, as the leading department of the Chinese government in fulfilling the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, expresses serious concern about this and firmly opposes attempts to damage China's protection reputation through pangolin protection issues. China has made and will continue to make solemn representations to the United States regarding this matter.
In the past decade, the Chinese government has vigorously promoted the construction of ecological civilization, strengthened the protection of endangered wildlife and plants, and achieved historic achievements that have attracted worldwide attention. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of pangolins, and on June 3, 2020, all species of pangolins were upgraded to national first-class protected wildlife; On July 3, 2020, the Pangolin Protection Research Center was established to strengthen the rescue, breeding, and field research of pangolins; Release a notice to further strengthen the protection and management of pangolins, strengthen the protection and monitoring of wild pangolin populations and their habitats, strictly prohibit hunting and consumption of pangolins, and effectively promote the restorative growth of Chinese pangolin wild populations. China firmly fulfills its obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, actively promotes compliance actions, stops commercial import and export of pangolins and their products, establishes an inter ministerial joint conference system composed of 27 departments to combat illegal trade in wild flora and fauna, and severely crack down on smuggling and illegal trade of pangolins. Relevant illegal activities are showing a significant downward trend; For more than a decade, we have supported pangolin distribution countries to strengthen their capacity for wildlife conservation. We have collaborated with pangolin distribution countries in Asia, Africa, and other regions to carry out a series of actions to combat illegal trade in wildlife. We have made significant contributions to strengthening global pangolin protection and curbing illegal trade, and have won multiple commendations from the Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Asian Environmental Enforcement Award, and the Clark Bavin Award. Our achievements are not to be underestimated.
China will further strengthen cooperation with the international community, take scientific and pragmatic actions, and play a greater role in protecting endangered wildlife, including pangolins.
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