A ban on all sales of ivory products in China comes
into force on Sunday, a move hailed by conservationists as an important
step in the fight to protect endangered species such as African
elephants.
China one of the world's biggest markets for African ivory, announced last year that it would outlaw all domestic trade and processing by the end of 2017.
The move came after pressure that its vast
demand for ivory - seen as a status symbol by some in the country -
fuels elephant poaching in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.
"China has followed through on a great promise it made to the world, offering hope for the future of elephants."
Note
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which took effect in 1975, banned international ivory trade in 1989
China, however, continued to allow ivory sales domestically.
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