Chinese Embassy denies knowledge on request to import monkeys

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo states that authorities in China are unaware of any request made by a private company to import endangered Sri Lankan toque macaque monkeys to China. 

Issuing a press release, the Embassy stated that it noticed "recent disinformation" on local and foreign media about plans by Sri Lanka to export "100 thousands" of the endangered monkeys to A Chinese private company for "experimental purpose" as well as the detailed clarifications by the Minister of Agriculture and the Cabinet Spokesperson of Sri Lanka thereafter.

"The embassy has also checked with relevant authorities in Beijing. The Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the main government department supervising and managing the import and export of wild animals and plants, clearly clarified that it is not aware of the request and has not received such application from any side," the embassy insisted.

The Embassy would like to further stress that as a contracting party of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), China has already adopted its Wildlife Protection Law in 1988 with several amendments afterwards. The Chinese government always attaches great importance to wildlife protection and actively fulfill international obligations, which makes China one of top countries in the world in terms of wildlife protection legislation and law enforcement, the embassy further said.