Xi reiterates China's commitment to wildlife protection

Chinese President Xi Jinping feeds an elephant during his visit to a private wildlife sanctuary in Harare, Dec 2, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The ban followed a similar measure enacted in February against imports of African ivory carvings acquired after the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) took effect in 1975. In May, China publicly destroyed 662 kg of confiscated ivory.

During Xi's landmark state visit to the United States in September, the two countries committed themselves to nearly complete bans on ivory import and export, including significant restrictions on ivory hunting trophies, and regulations aimed at halting domestic commercial trade of ivory.

Xi arrived in Harare Tuesday for the first state visit to the wildlife-rich African country by a Chinese president since 1996. During his talks with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Robert Mugabe, the two sides charted the course for the future development of bilateral ties and pledged to translate their time-honored friendship into fresh impetus for win-win cooperation and common development.

The two presidents also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation deals, including one on wildlife protection.

Zimbabwe is the second leg of Xi's ongoing three-nation tour, which has taken him to the opening ceremony of a highly anticipated UN climate change conference in Paris. He will also pay a state visit to South Africa and attend a summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg.