China Opposes US Attempts to Use Pangolins to Damage Beijing's Reputation: Embassy

Beijing firmly opposes any attempts by Washington to use pangolins to damage China’s reputation, Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Sputnik, adding that China fulfills its obligations to curb illegal trade and strengthen global pangolin protection.

"China firmly opposes attempts to use the pangolin protection issue to damage China's reputation," Liu Pengyu said. "China has firmly fulfilled its obligations under CITES, actively promoted the implementation of the Convention, and severely cracked down on smuggling and illegal trade in pangolins, making significant contributions to strengthening global pangolin protection and curbing illegal trade."

On Friday, President Joe Biden expressed concerns about the increasing demand for pangolin scales despite assurances from China regarding their anti-trafficking efforts. Biden also directed the State Department and the Interior Department to continue their efforts and to report back on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations at the CITES Standing Committee scheduled in Geneva from November 6 to 10.

Sub-Saharan Africa

These 10 South African Animal Species Are Under Threat

28 October 2023, 18:21

Moreover, Biden threatened with certain prohibitions on the importation of, and trade measures on, certain products from China if it does not implement CITES-directed measures to protect pangolin species by December 31.

"China has received several certificates of commendation from the Secretary-General of CITES, and its achievements should not be denigrated," Liu Pengyu pointed out. "China will further strengthen cooperation with the international community, take scientific and pragmatic actions, and play a bigger role in protecting endangered wild animals and plants, including pangolins."

According to wildelife organizations, pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world. In 2014, the pangolin, a nocturnal creature, was categorized as Critically Endangered, primarily because of the grave threat posed by illegal wildlife trade and poaching.China ramped up its protection efforts for the native Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) to the highest level level in 2020.