Combatting wildlife crime through cooperation in the Chinese mainland, Vietnam, and Hong Kong SAR

(Fujian, China - May 23, 2024) – To strengthen enforcement cooperation and put an end to wildlife crime, customs departments of the Chinese Mainland, Vietnam, and Hong Kong SAR gathered on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity, in Fuzhou, China. 

IFAW supported the Anti-smuggling Bureau (ASB) of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) in organizing the seminar.  

Anti-smuggling representatives from three parties discussed the current trends, risks, and countermeasures involved in wildlife trade of endangered species. IFAW shared the latest research findings and development of AI-powered tools and toolkits to support enforcement capacity. 

Data shows collaborative law enforcement interventions have achieved positive results in deterring criminals smuggling endangered species across the Asia Pacific region, and created effective practices for the global governance of endangered wildlife trade. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Wildlife Crime Report (May, 2024) also shows that poaching, seizures, and market prices of species such as elephants and rhinoceros have dropped significantly in recent years. 

At the meeting, China Customs detailed its experience in promoting multilateral law enforcement cooperation and smart anti-smuggling in recent years, and shared the smuggling dynamics, risks, and governance initiatives for major endangered species from 2022 to present. 

The Vietnam representative said collaboration between the two countries has significantly boosted the ability of Vietnam Customs to examine and control the latest risks of smuggling activities of endangered species in the region. They also said Vietnam is willing to continue to work closely with the Chinese side to promote a crackdown on the entire smuggling chain. 

Following a single seizure of seven tons of ivory in 2023, Vietnam Customs in Hai Phong, together with Dinh Vu Port Customs and other law enforcement agencies, seized nearly 1.6 tons of smuggled ivory from Nigeria at the port of Hai Phong Port in Leh District in March 2024. In August 2023, Vietnam's police in Nghe An Province also seized nearly 4.6 tons of illegal wildlife products, including 2.1 tons of rosewood and over 2.5 tons of pangolin scales. 

This week, the three sides agreed to continue Operation Mekong Dragon VI in 2024, maintaining focusing on the smuggling of pangolin scales, rhinoceros horns, ivory, antelope horns, totoaba, rosewood, and other endangered species products and live wildlife. 

"It’s clear that by working together, the China-Vietnam customs officials have been able to make great strides in the fight against wildlife crime and protecting endangered species - something which we will continue to support. It’s vital we keep the pressure on to stop criminals smuggling wildlife products such as elephant ivory and pangolin scale. Wild animals being smuggled for the exotic pet trade has also grown significantly, which needs unparalleled attention. 

“We call on law enforcement parties at the front end of the smuggling chain to actively participate in the upcoming Operation Mekong Dragon VI and long-term international enforcement cooperation against wildlife crime,” says YK Ma, Program Manager with IFAW in China. 

Press contact: 

Sabrina Zhang 
Senior Communications Manager 
Email: qzhang@ifaw.org 
Tel: 86 13911116927