In banning ivory trade, China saw benefits for itself

Beijing

CHINA'S vow to shut down its commercial ivory trade by the end of this year was welcomed by environmentalists as a turning point in the fight against poachers. Activists cheered the government's pledge for swift action, and the state-run news media called it a "monumental win for elephants".

But in making the decision, announced on Friday, to bring the world's largest ivory market to a halt, the Chinese government also saw benefits for itself.