This is an excellent report, which sharply pointed out the problems, accurately indicated the challenges China is facing in the field of biodiversity and put forward feasible and operational suggestions. Many of my fiends and colleagues present and indeed myself are truly touched and feel strongly about the situation. Therefore, I make the following suggestions:
1.I would like to ask the co-chairmen of the group to adapt the two-page-long extract of the report into a letter of appeal that can be published in newspapers. I am Willing to recommend this piece of article to a major newspaper on June 5th, the world Environment Day.
2.Bildiversity, ad what Mr. MacKinnon has just said, is not an issue concerning only about one country, in this case China. To Asian countries, wildlife smuggling is like the smuggling of drugs, which goes back and forth between Vietnam and China. The Indian Minister of Environ-mental Protection asked me whether we could sign an agreement to ban the selling of Indian tiger bones to China .I told him that he had my full agreement .You forbid catching tigers in India, and we in China will forbid purchasing tiger bones. There is a bad habit in China. It is believed from history that anyone who drink the wine with tiger bones in it will enjoy a life of 100 years. I'd like to make a proposal to the Working Group and all leaders present, such as Mr. Law Hengding from Malaysia and others, that a number of countries in Asia should, with Mr. MacKinnon's leadership, work out a regional convention or agreement which we would all observe and will be made public for everybody to follow. Why do I make such an appeal? This is because of the fact that though we are shedding trars for many of the poor animals at this meeting, the outside world does no t know and neither do the officials, I understand it is difficult for us to reach an agreement at once. However, we must start doing something about it, because our wildlife need to survive, and so do human beings. It is necessary to organize effective and large-scaled international campaigns, not only things on a national level. I hope that an international conference is to be held in Asian and Pacific region with special discussions on Asian issues, at which a number of rules should be worked out. Our concerted efforts will be of some benefit to all countries. I have this suggestion and am sure that Mr. Hold gate will make a very worthy initiator. Many important ministers are present today. Let us try our best and am sure that Mr. Holdgate will make a very worthy initiator. Many important ministers are present today. Let us try our best and make the work a success. This will play an essential role in south-east Asia, especially in east Asia. I can guarantee that China will immediately stop all smuggling activities along its boarders once there is such an agreement or a regional convention. This is only for your reference.
3. I hope the simple and sharp-pointed remarks will be reported directly to President Jiang Zemin.
(These notes have not been checked and approved by the speaker.)