An email I got today. Just hope this will succeed in helping to end the slaughter (for Ivory) of elephants. Let us prey it will. WildAid Dear JAYNE , With our thanks to your generous support, we are delighted to report that on Monday, Yao Ming delivered a petition to the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) asking Chinas government to ban the sale of ivory. Yao has been an active leader of WildAids campaign on shark fin and more recently our rhino horn and ivory campaigns launched last year. China can truly be a global leader in conservation and stopping the legal sales of ivory, which enable laundering and confuse consumers, would be a great step towards that. Yao Ming signed the petition along with fellow CPPCC members including Wang Wenjing (Chairman and CEO of Yonyou Software), Liu Jun (Chairman of Eagle International Holdings), Xu Shaochun (Founder of Kingdee Software), Zhu Xinli (Chairman of China Huiyuan Juice Co.), and Yu Minhong (Founder of New Oriental Education). Last week, Chinas 36 top business leaders released a pledge to never purchase, possess, or give ivory as a gift. WildAid China Board Chairman, Mr. Huang Nubo spearheaded pledge recruitment including Cao Guowei, CEO of Sina Corp., Chinas largest internet portal, as well as 10 individuals from the Forbes 2013 China Rich List including Jack Ma, founder of the Alibaba Group. WildAid salutes their efforts and we continue to expand our communications activities to broaden awareness and encourage more positive attitudes for wildlife conservation because when the buying stops, the killing can too. Sincerely, Peter Knights Executive Director Tax ID Number: 20-3644441 -------------------------------------- Translated text of Yao Mings petition during the opening session of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference asking Chinas government to ban sales of ivory (March 3, 2014). Proposal to issue a ban on ivory sales Overview In recent years, the revival of trade in ivory has resulted in rampant poaching and smuggling of ivory, leading to significant reductions in elephant populations. In order to combat ivory smuggling and illegal sales of ivory, China has issued a series of laws and regulations. But because of the immense size of Chinas ivory market, complex management systems, and consumers often unable to determine the legal status of ivory products, smuggling and illegal ivory continue to enter China, adding pressure and complexities to the work of customs officials, and damaging our economy and safety. Background Estimates show that at least 20,000 elephants are being killed each year for their ivory. Elephant populations have been reduced 62% in the last 10 years. Rampant poaching is damaging the economies, tourism industries, and stability of many African nations, while some terrorist organizations are receiving funding from the trade in illegal ivory. A recent survey carried out by WildAid and [the African Wildlife Foundation and Save the Elephants] of 961 residents in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou indicates that 94% of those surveyed support a government ban on ivory. China has recently begun strengthening enforcement on illegal ivory smuggling, and earlier this year destroyed over 6 tonnes of confiscated ivory, showing the resolve of the Chinese government to stifle the trade in illegal wildlife products. Issues 1. After the ban on international ivory sales in 1989, the market for ivory was significantly reduced, leading to corresponding reductions in poaching of elephants and an increase in elephant populations. After the purchase of an ivory stockpile in 2008 which has helped revitalize Asian markets for ivory, poaching of elephants across Africa has increased rapidly. This shows that the trade in ivory is the main driver of elephant poaching. 2. Criminal gangs are increasingly smuggling ivory into China, causing China to spend a great amount of manpower, funding, and other resources to combat this smuggling and storing of confiscated ivory. This is to the detriment of Chinas economy and safety. 3. Because of ivorys high market value, it is often purchased to be given as gifts, very often leading excess and corruption in the government. 4. China has made great achievements in recent years on the protection of wildlife, but Chinas ivory market and ivory smuggling have damaged Chinas international reputation. Recommendations Because the ivory trade is leading to the poaching of elephants, I recommend that China ban all sales of ivory, prohibit imports of ivory, prohibit the sale, purchase, transport, carrying, and shipping of all ivory products. I believe that this ban on ivory will lead to the protection of elephants, ease the burden on customs officials, maintain safety, and help make China a leader in wildlife conservation. -------------------------------------- Translated text of the Ivory Pledge, including the 36 signatories, and the full page announcement that ran in the Beijing Times. Ivory Pledge In recent years, poaching as a result of the trade in illegal ivory is posing enormous threats to the survival of elephants. Im aware of the following: 1. Each year around 25,000 African elephants are killed for their ivory. 2. The population of elephants has declined 62% in the last 10 years. 3. Rampant elephant poaching is having negative impacts on the economy, tourism, and national security of many African nations. Because of this, I pledge the following: 1. I will not purchase, possess, or give ivory as a gift 2. I will encourage friends, family, and employees to not purchase ivory products Signatories Cao Guowei (Charles Chao) - CEO, Sina Corp Deng Feng - CEO and Chairman, Beiji Guangfeng Investment Fund Ding Liguo - Founder, Liguo Corp. Feng Lun - Chairman, Vantone Holdings Huang Nubo - Chairman, Zhongkun Group Jiang Xipei - Chairman, Yuandong Holdings Li Dongsheng - Chairman, TCL Group Li Shufu - Chairman, Geely Group Li Zhenfu - China Regional President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Liu Chuanzhi - Chairman, Lenovo Liu Donghua - Founder, Zhenghedao Group Liu Jiren - Chairman, Dongruan Group Liu Jun - Deputy Chairman, Guangxi Peoples Congress Committee Ma Yun (Jack Ma) - Founder, Alibaba Group Niu Gensheng - Founder, Lao Niu Foundation Shen Guojun - CEO and Chairman, Yintai Holdings Corp. Tang Yue - Founding Partner, Blue Mountain China Capital Wang Chaoyong - Founder and President, Xinzhongli International Holdings Wang Junhao - Deputy Chairman, Junyao Group Wang Lifen - Founder, Beijing Youshimi Internet Technology Co. Ltd. Wang Wenjing - CEO and Chairman, Yongyou Software Corp. Wang Zhongjun - Chairman, Huaiyi Brothers Media Corp. Wu Jianmin - Deputy Director, China External Affairs Committee Wu Yajun - Chairman, Longhu Group Xia Hua - Chairman, Yiwen Enterprise Group Xie Mian - Art and culture critic Xu Shaochun - Founder, Jindie Software Group Xu Zhihong - Scholar, China Academy of Science Yang Shaopeng - Chairman, Haifeng International Shipping Corp. Yu Minhong - Founder, New Oriental Group Yuan Yue - Chaiman, Lingdian Consulting Zhang Weiying - Renowned Economist Zhang Xingsheng ( Jim Zhang) - Managing Directory, The Nature Conservancy Greater China Region Zhou Qiren - Dean, Peking University National Development Academy Zhou Qifeng - Renowned Chemist Zhu Xinli - Chairman, Beijing Huiyuan Beverage Company
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 20:23:19 +0000
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