Banning ivory trade is only one of many actions China can take to save Africa’s wildlife

It was encouraging to read recently that Hong Kong authorities are “open-minded” about a ban on the ivory trade. Though “open-minded” does not convey the sense of urgency this crisis deserves, it reminds us that there are things we can do here at home to work towards greater protection of elephants and other wildlife in Africa. Our citizens can play a role by not buying ivory – ever – and the government can ban the ivory trade and crack down on all ivory operations. Ivory trading and the consumer market of such products should be completely eradicated in Hong Kong.

READ MORE: Elephants are dying because of Hong Kong’s failure to tackle illegal ivory trade, report says

But are there additional things that China could be doing to protect Africa’s wildlife? Trade between China and the African continent has grown quickly in the past decade; it was valued at more than US$200 billion last year. The WeChat messaging system from Tencent is used by millions of young Africans. Zendai is developing multi-purpose property projects in South Africa. The investments China is making in Africa and the operations of Chinese companies on the ground are transforming the continent at an unprecedented rate.

Largely because of Chinese investments, roads and railways are also being laid down. Dams and buildings are going up. And many Chinese citizens are coming to work and live in Africa.

This change is happening quickly. The positives of this are better infrastructure, improved trade relations between China and various African governments, access to technology, higher standards of living for Africans and growing economies. The negatives of this fast-paced change, at least from a conservationist’s perspective, are the irrevocable loss of biodiversity and the undermining of ecosystem services needed to sustain this growth. Roads and railways bisect wildlife corridors and break up habitats. Dams alter the biological and physical properties of river systems.

READ MORE: China main reason Africa is losing war to stop wipe-out of rhinos and elephants

If we are to save Africa’s elephants, rhinos, lions and other animals, or protect Africa’s wild landscapes for the future, our policymakers need to begin addressing conservation issues head on. It cannot always be left to the conservation organisations on the ground to fight for the future of wildlife.

These issues must be prioritised and addressed at the highest levels of our governments. It is in these high-level discussions and agreements that the fate of the continent and its wildlife are being decided. We firmly believe that conservation and economic modernisation can coexist in Africa.

The upcoming 6th ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg offers a unique opportunity to put these issues onto the diplomatic agenda. Every three years since 2000, the Chinese government has hosted this official forum with its African partners, and every three years, China has doubled its financing commitment to Africa. At a gathering where President Xi Jinping (習近平) is this year expected to meet Africa’s heads of state to discuss a range of Sino-African issues, the one that is rarely discussed is how to ensure the protection of the continent’s unique natural heritage.