As 'Ivory Queen' sentenced, China reiterates zero tolerance on illicit wildlife trade

China has zero tolerance of illicit trade connected to endangered wildlife and products made from such animals, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday.

The Chinese government will firmly punish relevant criminals, Geng said at a daily news conference.

He made the remarks after Tanzania sentenced Chinese businesswoman Yang Fenglan, nicknamed the "Ivory Queen", to 15 years in jail for smuggling hundreds of elephant tusks.

Yang was accused of operating one of Africa's biggest ivory-smuggling rings, responsible for smuggling $2.5 million worth of tusks from some 400 elephants, the BBC reported.

"We support relevant departments of Tanzania to fairly investigate and handle the case in accordance with the law," Geng said.

He stressed the Chinese government always requires overseas Chinese citizens to abide by local laws and regulations, and the government will not shield any criminal activities.

China has always paid strong attention to endangered wildlife conservation, and strictly honors its international obligations according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, he said, adding that the country has established a domestic legal and regulatory system regarding this.

Since 2015, the Chinese government has rolled out measures to suspend importing ivory carvings, hunting trophies, ivory and ivory products, which has been praised by the international community, he added.

China banned all domestic ivory trade at the beginning of last year as part of its commitment to protecting wild animals.

Geng noted that China is willing to work with the international community, including Tanzania, to contribute to the protection of endangered wildlife and to curb illicit trade.

He also reminded Chinese citizens who travel to African countries to increase their law-abiding consciousness and not to buy or carry products made from rare wild animals, such as ivory and rhino horn.