LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Society

China's rule changes to protect rhino, tigers: foreign ministry

1
2018-10-31 11:34:09Global Times Editor : Li Yan ECNS App Download

Rule changes to protect rhino, tigers: ministry

A one-horned rhino named "Rupasi", which will be gifted to China, being cooled off by her caretaker inside the premises at Chitwan National Park, Chitwan, Nepal, July 9, 2018. A couple of rhinoceros named as "Bhadra" and "Rupasi" are being transported to China this week as gifts from the Nepali government. (Photo/Xinhua)

The permission of trade and use of rhinoceros, tigers and related products under special circumstances in a latest government circular was based on a complete control system and adequate resources, a Chinese expert said Tuesday.

The adjustment would also help crack down on black market trade as people in need of these materials and products will buy them through legal channels, said Zhang Wei, a professor from the college of wildlife resources at Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at Tuesday's routine press briefing that the adjustment adheres to the legal rules of "protection priority, standardized utilization, and strict supervision," fully considering the possible positive and negative effects on global rhinoceros and tiger protection.

"It not only strictly limits the scope of special circumstances and formulates a series of strict supervision measures, but also strengthens law enforcement, which plays a more effective and positive role in global rhinoceros and tiger protection," Lu said.

The adjustment came 25 years after the country issued a total ban on rhinoceros and tiger bones in 1993.

According to a new circular by the State Council, the country has lifted the bans in special circumstances including scientific research, resource investigation, education, life-saving medical treatment, relics protection, cultural exchanges and law enforcement.

The announcement was not universally welcomed.

"With wild tiger and rhino populations at such low levels and facing numerous threats, legalized trade in their parts is simply too great a gamble for China to take," read a statement the World Wide Fund sent to the Global Times.

Zhang argued that the adjustment will not affect the protection of the wild rhinoceros and tiger, not to mention that hunting wild animals will be heavily punished in China.

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.