HK environment official halts BBC interview on ivory trade

Undersecretary for the Environment Christine Loh asked the BBC during an interview to stop rolling the cameras while she was being asked about ivory smuggling in Hong Kong.

In a report titled “Hong Kong trade ‘providing cover for smuggle ivory’”, a BBC reporter said there are 377 legal ivory traders in Hong Kong.

The growing illegal trade in ivory is being driven by demand in China and Hong Kong, where the buying and selling of ivory is still legal, according to the report.

When asked why the Hong Kong government cannot provide the names of the 377 ivory traders, Loh said she is not able to answer it.

“I don’t know. Actually I’m not quite sure how to answer this question. You have to ask one of our …Can we not take this on? Because I just simply don’t know …” she said.

“But it’s your list, isn’t it?” the reporter asked.

“Can we stop this?” Loh said as he put her hands in front of her face.

The BBC report described Loh’s off-the-record request as “odd”.

Loh is a former member of the Legislative Council, founder and CEO of Civic Exchange, founder of the Citizens Party, and founder of Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor.

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JP/CG