Pingxiang, Guangxi, China (November 1- 2, 2017) – Today, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in partnership with Guangxi Anti-smuggling Office, commenced the “Joint training on combating illegal wildlife trafficking for border enforcement officers of Quang Ninh and Lang Son Province (Viet Nam) and Guangxi Province (China)” in Pingxiang, Guangxi, China. This two-day joint training welcomed more than 40 participants from national and subnational law enforcement agencies from the two countries, including the Customs, Border Army, Environmental Police and Forest Police in Quang Ninh and Lang Son province (Viet Nam) and Guangxi province (China).
The illegal wildlife trade between China and Viet Nam, especially in border area presents one of the most immediate threats to the biodiversity of regional ecosystems. Transnational wildlife trafficking has become an international issue. Organized crime syndicates are employing more and more sophisticated tactics to smuggle wild species, thus combatting wildlife crime is becoming a pressing issue for no single country, including Viet Nam and China, and is requiring cross-border cooperation than ever.
The joint training aimed to improve expertise in species and product identification of regular cross-border traded species for local officers, and give participants opportunity to share techniques on controlling concealment of smuggling along the border of two countries. More notably, participants have had a chance to hear from WCS experts on wildlife trafficking cases and the requirements of a strong case for prosecution to get a better understanding of judicial processes. Discussion and sharing at the training is expected to strengthen the existing bilateral relationships between related authorities of Viet Nam and China.
“Today, the frontline anti-smuggling enforcement officers from Vietnam and China are gathering to learn from each other and to enhance overall capacity in combating wildlife trafficking, which is a great enforcement networking activity as well as a good example of WCS’s role in promoting law enforcement cooperation between both countries. In order to establish firmer law enforcement cooperation in anti-smuggling crime between both countries’ borders, to more effectively combat trafficking and to maintain the security of the society as well as economic stability, I hereby look forward that colleagues from both countries can actively exchange law enforcement experience, share the latest anti-smuggling situation and information.”, Mr. FENG Kezhao, the Director of Guangxi Anti-smuggling Office said at the workshop.
The training course was made possible with funding from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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For further information, please contact:
Do Thi Hong Thanh, Communication Officer, WCS in Viet Nam
Email: dthanh@wcs.org,
Office phone: 024-35149750
Cell phone: 0904 339 808
About WCS:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a non-profit, US-based private organization that saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. Currently, WCS has nearly 4,000 staff working in about 60 country offices worldwide. With over 120 years of experience, WCS has established long-term conservation presence in the last wild places across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, built strong and trusting partnerships, and acquired a depth of knowledge that ensures effective conservation action. WCS has worked in Viet Nam since 2006 with the government, civil society, and media partners to strengthen the commitment and institutional capacity of key agencies to combat wildlife trafficking. To know more about WCS in Viet Nam, visit our website at https://vietnam.wcs.org/.