BEIJING: China lodged solemn representations to the United States on Saturday rejecting accusations that it has enabled illicit trade in pangolins.
China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration expressed its serious concern at accusations made by US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Friday that China is “diminishing the effectiveness” of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora by engaging in the trade or taking of pangolin species.
The NFGA, which oversees wildlife management in China, said the US has disregarded the significant efforts and achievements made by China in protecting pangolins worldwide.
The administration said that the US action represents another example of its abuse of extraterritorial jurisdiction and goes against the principles of objectivity and fairness, extremely undermining global cooperation in pangolin conservation.
“As the leading agency responsible for implementing CITES, the NFGA expresses serious concerns about the US move and strongly opposes any attempt to damage China’s reputation in pangolin protection,” it said, adding that China has already lodged a solemn representation with the US and will continue to do so.
After Haaland’s issuing of the finding, US President Joe Biden has 60 days to notify Congress of any action to be taken.
In the past decade, the Chinese government has strengthened the protection of endangered wildlife and plants, achieving noteworthy accomplishments, the statement said. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
