Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said the two governments are working to launch a joint law enforcement action to eliminate transnational crimes related to poaching.  

He was speaking at a media briefing at the Chinese Embassy in Windhoek on Tuesday. 

The joint law enforcement action will be between the Namibian Police and China's Ministry of Public Security. 

Zhang said that the Chinese government is strongly against any illegal poaching, thus the reports of Chinese individuals involved in poaching are tarnishing the country's image. 

"We do not defend these people. We will assist and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to punish the individuals who are involved in such heinous crimes," he said. 

He added that he will make it one of his important goals during his term as ambassador in the country to strengthen relations between China and Namibia. 

Previously, the Chinese local community has up a Wildlife Protection Fund in Namibia to sponsor wildlife projects. 

China announced late last year a phased schedule to stop part of ivory processing and sales by March 31, 2017, and to eventually stop all ivory processing and sales by the end of 2017. 

(Xinhua News Agency, August 23, 2017)