Chinese Ambassador pledges to help protect wildlife
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qingyang has expressed his government’s commitment to protect wildlife in Malawi.
He was speaking on Saturday when opening a workshop on wildlife protection at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre.
Zhang, however, expressed concern than the Chinese are the most targeted when it comes to reports of wildlife smuggling.
He said: “When it comes to smuggling of wild life, particularly ivory and ivory products in Africa, the Chinese citizens are always blamed. However, the Chinese government has always been opposed to such crimes.”
The Ambassador said China has put in place a number of laws and regulations against the malpractice and consistently educates its people to comply with international regulations and local laws on illegal trade of wildlife and its products.
Director for the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Brighton Kumchedwa, said the ‘stop wildlife crime campaign’ has been critical to raising awareness about Malawi’s resolve to combat the illegal trade.
Director for Lilongwe Wildlife Trust Kate Moore said the majority of people found with wildlife products are non-Malawians.
British High Commissioner Michael Nervin also attended the workshop.
