Call to ban ivory give and take

National political advisors have urged the government to take immediate measures to curtail the consumption and demand of endangered wildlife products.

Yuan Xikun, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said he had submitted a proposal to the advisory body in early March, demanding that civil servants be prohibited from giving and receiving ivory.

"Building on the joint decree by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council to ban dishes containing shark fin, birds' nests and protected wild animals at official receptions and banquets, in an effort to root out corruption and condemn decadent consumption, we urge a special decree prohibiting the lavish taking and giving of parts and products from endangered species by government officials and civil servants," Yuan's proposal reads.