File photo of a baby Sunda pangolin and its mother Photo: Xinhua

China firmly opposes any attempt to tarnish its reputation in pangolin conservation and has lodged a solemn representation with the US after the US Department of the Interior claimed that Chinese citizens engaging in pangolin trade and acquisition activities are undermining the effectiveness of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration said in a statement on Saturday.

The US' action disregarded China's significant efforts and achievements in global pangolin protection and represents another example of the US' abuse of extraterritorial jurisdiction, which goes against the principles of objectivity and fairness and is highly detrimental to global cooperation in pangolin conservation, the statement read.

On Friday, US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland claimed that she has issued a finding that Chinese nationals are "diminishing the effectiveness of CITES by engaging in trade or taking of pangolin species."

China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the leading department responsible for China's implementation of CITES, has expressed serious concerns about the US accusation. It firmly opposes any attempt to tarnish China's reputation in pangolin conservation. China has already lodged a solemn representation with the US on this matter and will continue to do so.

The administration said in its Saturday statement that over the past decade, the Chinese government has vigorously promoted ecological civilization construction and strengthened the protection of endangered wildlife and plants, achieving remarkable historic accomplishments that have drawn worldwide attention.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to pangolin conservation. On June 3, 2020, all species of pangolins were elevated to the status of nationally protected wildlife. On July 3, 2020, a pangolin conservation research center was established to enhance pangolin rescue, breeding, and field research, according to the statement.

China is unwavering in its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under CITES, actively advancing compliance actions, and has ceased commercial import and export activities of pangolins and their products. China has also established an inter-ministerial joint meeting system comprising 27 departments to combat illegal wildlife trade, and has vigorously cracked down on smuggling and illegal trading of pangolins, resulting in a significant decline in such illegal activities.

The National Forestry and Grassland Administration said that China has received multiple commendations, including recognition from the Secretary-General of CITES, the Asian Environmental Enforcement Award, and the Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards , and these achievements should not be disparaged.

China will further enhance cooperation with the international community, take scientific and pragmatic actions, and play a greater role in protecting endangered wildlife and plants, including pangolins, the administration said.

Global Times