TNAG-1955-FCO40-2784-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 112

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Matthew, Nina, Joe, Daniel and

Rachel Morgan

83 St John's Crescent

Whitchurch

Cardiff

CF4 7AG

South Wales

Telephone 01-

Your reference

HKCISI/1

Our reference

Date

FILE

159

270 2653

PJMAQC

5 July 1989

Dear Matthew, Nim, Joe Daniel and Ruch!?!

It was nice of you to write to tell us about your concern for the African elephant and the Ivory Trade in Hong Kong. Since you wrote, quite a lot has happened which we all hope will help protect the African elephant in future. The British authorities and representatives of a lot of other countries are all going to meet in October to discuss ways of ensuring further protection. But in advance of the meeting the British Government have already stopped allowing imports of ivory and many other countries have done the same, including Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government have also now got a special customs force (like a police squad) to act against criminals who try to import ivory illegally, and if they get caught they will be punished much more heavily than before.

So, to answer your last sentence, I am glad to say that both the British Government and the Hong Kong Government are speaking up for you and for the elephant. Let us hope that their efforts are successful and that there will, as you hope, be elephants in Africa when you grow up.

Lows sincerely,

أتانا

F B Holroyd

Hong Kong Department

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