China’s principled position on the ivory trade

They bought ivory products like bangles and necklaces from certain African countries as souvenirs that are available openly in the local market. Many of them are first-time tourists to Africa, and are not familiar with international practices on ivory.

They are actually distinct from the smugglers we normally talk about. Anyway, they violated the Kenyan law out of ignorance and they have learnt their lesson.

4. However, the misdeeds by some individuals cannot be interpreted as activities of the whole nation. We cannot accept the groundless accusations by some NGOs that Chinese are behind the poachers.

Actually, the embassy had approached the relevant NGO for further evidence or information in August 2008 when we first read the accusations, and the embassy is yet to get them until now.

Chinese Embassy in Nairobi