Abstract:

The importing and exporting data of wild fauna and flora and their products in China from 1982 to 2001 were collected. Following factors were analyzed, including the dynamics of the quantity of species under legal control, number of countries in trade with China, the sources of the fauna and flora in trade and the purposes for trade. The analysis indicated that China have shifted from an exporting country to an importing country of wild fauna and flora. The quantity of species under legislation control which were in international trade have increased from less than 100 to more than 500, since the wildlife protection laws and regulations came into force since 1991, and the new Custom Harmonized System Code (HS code) was adopted in 1998 The wildlife protection laws and HS code benefited the wildlife management in China, especially for controlling the wild plant trade and wild species importation. Countries in trade with China increased from about 10 to more than 50, a significant quantity of permits were issued for commercial purpose, indicated that international trade in wild fauna and flora was very active. Many specimens in international trade were harvested from wild, which posed threats to the wild population of the concerned species. It was made that the following suggestions:(1) to enhance the legislation basis of Custom Harmonized System Codes;(2) to enhance the management on wild harvest;(3) to encourage captive breeding and artificial propagation of wildlife, and (4) to monitor and limit the quantity of importation.

Key words: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES), Mechanism of endangerment, Captive breeding and propagation