TNAG-1954-FCO40-2783-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 208

PJ MAPB

7. In terms of imports the CITES Secretariat confirms that Hong

Kong imported 264 tonnes of ivory in 1988, followed by Japan (106 tonnes), China (50 tonnes) and Taiwan (6 tonnes). These figures may include ivory which has been counted twice - eg Japan imports only

2% of its ivory from Africa, the rest transitting other countries.

The amount of raw ivory imported into Hong Kong has dropped

considerably in the past five years (from 651 tonnes in 1983 to 264 tonnes in 1988). The main sources from which Hong Kong imported ivory in 1988 were Singapore, Sudan, Japan, Belgium, Somalia and the

Congo for raw ivory and China, the United Arab Emirates, Macau,

Japan and the USA for worked ivory.

Hong Kong Government's position

8. Hong Kong is a party to CITES by virtue of the extension of the

UK's ratification. Hong Kong has adhered to all CITES decision by

enacting and enforcing the necessary local legislation. Row and

simply prepared ivory has been subject to import and export controls in Hong Kong since 1978. In August 1988 controls were extended to the import into Hong Kong of any worked or semi-worked ivory items. This action was taken to close a loophole in response to a CITES

resolution.

9.

The Hong Kong Government have already stated publicly that Hong

Kong will continue to support the aims and objectives of CITES and

will make every effort to implement any recommendations adopted by

CITES to conserve the African elephants and other endangered species. They are now reviewing their position in the light of

concern expressed internationally about the fate of the African

elephant and the need to come to a view in good time for the CITES

meeting in October.

10. In recent years the UK has become increasingly concerned about

the reported decline in the number of African elephants. The United Kingdom is represented on the CITES African Elephant Working Group (as is Hong Kong) and has been actively involved in promoting the survival of the species through strengthening controls on imports and exports of ivory and through aid to those African producer

countries seeking to protect their elephant populations. In 1985,