"What caused the illegal poaching is poor law enforcement and supervision, not the legal trade. Actually, the tusks from elephants' natural deaths are sufficient to supply the Chinese market. There are so many misleading messages around the globe that China has huge market demand, which is not true."

Cao Liang, China Wildlife Association

"China legally imported 62 tons of ivory from African countries under an international treaty signed in 2008. Legal trading does not lead to poaching. China only permits 37 companies to manufacture ivory products and 145 to sell the products. They use no more than 5,000 kg of legal ivory every year."

Yan Xun, chief engineer for wildlife conservation, State Forestry Administration

"If there is no trade, there is no slaughter. The best way to protect endangered species is a total trade ban. We also need to educate the public not to buy ivory products. Many buyers even believe that an elephant's tusks will grow back after being cut off."

Hua Ning, China program director, International Fund for Animal Welfare

"Ivory carving is a traditional art form in China, a cultural heritage. Every year, we can use only 629 kg from the legal quota. We also put money into the International Fund for Elephant Conservation to subsidize eight programs in Africa and Asia every year. We hope there will be a legal trade to continue our art."

Xiao Guangyi, manager of an ivory-carving factory in Beijing

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/10/2014 page3)