A total of 67.45 kilograms of ivory products was seized from the
luggage of a female passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo
at Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday.
The female passenger, flying from Addis Abba to Beijing, chose
to go through the nothing-to-declare lane of the customs upon her
arrival in Beijing.
She was found to be carrying half-finished mahjong sets,
bracelets, necklaces and other ornaments made of ivory when customs
officers examined her luggage.
Anti-smuggling officers are currently investigating the
case.
China put into effect a set of regulation on the trade of
endangered wild fauna and flora on Sept. 1 last year.
The rules cover wildlife listed by the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES). China joined the international convention in 1980.
Under the rules, approval from the Chinese Government is
required for exporting and importing wildlife or wildlife products
for non-commercial purposes, such as scientific research, breeding
or exchanges.
(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2007)