A senior Chinese cabinet official said that last month’s order to partially lift a 25-year ban on the two animal products had been “postponed after study.”
Facing an onslaught of global criticism from environmental groups and even the United Nations, China has backtracked on an October decision to legalize the use of rhinoceros horn and tiger bone in traditional medicine and medical research.
A senior Chinese cabinet official told state-run Xinhua News Agency on Monday that last month’s order to partially lift a 25-year ban on the two animal products had been “postponed after study.” The official, Ding Xuedong, did not specify, however, how long the deferment would last.
Ding said only that China remained committed to wildlife protection and the country “will not ease the crackdown on illegal trafficking and trade of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts and other criminal activities.”
“The ‘three strict bans’ will continue to be enforced: strictly ban the import and export of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts; strictly ban the sale, purchase, transport, carrying and mailing of rhinos, tigers and their byproducts; and strictly ban the use of rhino horns and tiger bones in medicine,” Ding said.
