TNAG-0470-FCO40-535-Legislation-for-protection-of-wild-life-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 117

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species. Predictably the Chinese said that the regulations had not been finally promulgated but were still under discussion and therefore I could not be given a copy. I then asked if I could simply be given a longer list of the protected species and this was promised to me "later"; I do not imagine anything will come of this but it showed the Chinese willingness to please.

5. On to the giant salamander. This comes under the Division of Aquatic Products which, unlike the forestry division which is

responsible for animals, has none of the regulations applied above. I was told that the division of aquatic products was currently engaged in a review whose primary purpose was to determine the future development of production of species covered by the division; but which was also aimed at determining which species, if any, (I know the in need of protection by governmental regulations. Chinese always tend to be reviewing whatever one wants a straight answer about but this time their claim sounded genuine to me).

were

6. But the present lack of specific regulations to cover aquatic products does not mean the Chinese are unaware of the need to protect them. They referred immediately to the giant salamander as "rare and precious animal" and of its vulnerability because of

The number of salamanders the length of time it takes to gгOW.

in China hed fallen sharply in recent years because of indiscriminate catching but there was no danger of the species' extinction.

7. In lieu of national regulations, they rely for the conservation of aquatic products on "education" of local people by the local Department of Aquatic Froducts. I did not ask whether a system of

in fact in rewards and punishment were used but it may well be; terms of China, there may well be not much difference between a local authority's "education" and national regulations.

8. The species was not seriously threatened because the salamander was not eaten outside the provinces in which it grew, in the South of China. The number exported was very small and was subject to a ceiling (I could not get a figure). In addition, last year breeding grounds were started on a trial basis in Szechwan and Hopei.

9.

Overall the Chinese were extremely helpful. They provided a representative of the Forestry Division to tell me about conservation measures in general; and a representative of the aquatic products division who, in addition to the information above, told me all I will ever need to know about salamanders from their weight at birth to the size of their eyes. I had been asked by interested private organisations in England to enquire about wildlife

lthough they conservation in China and I told the Chinese this. shied away from giving me rny list of protected species they gave

I therefore see no reason why the information above quite freely.

it should not be freely used in answer to any enquirers in Hong Kong or in London. I think we have been quite lucky to get this much out of the Chinese and I hope it will be sufficient for your purposes.

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