Chinese embassy protests link to ivory scam

Jun 05, 2017

The release from the mission reads: “The Chinese embassy in Uganda has noticed that some media reported that officials of the Uganda Wildlife Authority were suspected of colluding with two diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Uganda to export ivory from the DR Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan. “These reports are totally groundless.

The Chinese embassy in Uganda has clarified that none of their staff has been linked to the cache of ivory exhibitis stolen from the Uganda Wildlife Authority strongroom.

The mission, in a press release issued last evening, was responding to media reports about President Yoweri Museveni's directive to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to probe the authority over fraud.

In the order dated May 2, the President said UWA officials colluded with "two diplomats at the embassy to export ivory from DR Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan".

According to Museveni's letter, the two Chinese diplomats are Li Wejin and Yinzhi. New Vision could not confirm the particulars of the named persons, but the Chinese embassy described the reports as unsupported.

The release from the mission reads: "The Chinese embassy in Uganda has noticed that some media reported that officials of the Uganda Wildlife Authority were suspected of colluding with two diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Uganda to export ivory from the DR Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan. "These reports are totally groundless.

None of our diplomats in the Chinese embassy has ever been involved in any kind of ivory trade. As a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, China has been exercising strict control over the import and export, as well as domestic trade in ivory.

"Since February 2015, the Chinese side has successively ceased the import of ivory sculptures, ivory souvenirs for hunting and ivory products made before the signing of the convention, demonstrating China's responsible attitude in protecting elephants.

"We hope that efforts made by the Chinese side will encourage more international forces to join us in elephant protection, to cut off the profi t chain of illegal hunting and trade, and effectively crack down on illegal activities such as poaching and illegal trade in ivory."

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