China's proactive stance against illicit wildlife trafficking in Africa in recent years has helped shift trends in this crime. Where cooperation has occurred with certain African countries, wildlife smuggling has moved to other parts of the continent. This shows that tougher measures are working - and African countries with high rates of trafficking should follow suit.
Africa presents enormous potential for China's Belt and Road Initiative. It is a vital source of raw materials for the Chinese manufacturing industry and a market for its imports. The reputational risks posed by poaching by a few Chinese nationals in Africa are enormous for a country keen to maintain and extend its economic dominance in the world.
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