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Participants attend a meeting hosted by the Department of Forest Inspection (DOFI) under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) to enhance the local Chinese community's understanding and observance of the law and regulations on wildlife protection and against illegal wildlife trade in Vientiane, Laos, on March 30, 2018. The Chinese embassy and Chinese community in Laos pledged their support on Friday to work with the Lao government to combat illegal wildlife trade in Laos. (Xinhua/Liu Ailun)

VIENTIANE, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy and Chinese community in Laos pledged their support on Friday to work with the Lao government to combat illegal wildlife trade in Laos.

A meeting, hosted by the Department of Forest Inspection (DOFI) under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), was to enhance the local Chinese community's understanding and observance of the law and regulations on wildlife protection and against illegal wildlife trade.

It was also to build cooperation among the law enforcement authorities in Laos, the Chinese embassy and the Chinese community, to take action against illegal wildlife trade, said a press release of the meeting.

"We all play an active role in combating illegal wildlife trade. Illegal wildlife trade is a serious concern and will be penalized accordingly under Lao laws and regulations," said Lao Deputy DOFI Director General Thongphanh Rattanalungsy.

Li Nengbin from the Chinese embassy in Laos said:" The Chinese government highly values the efforts to protect wildlife, and commits itself to effectively combating wildlife trafficking."

Towards the end of the meeting, representatives from the Chinese community, which includes the China General Chamber of Commerce, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Hunan Chambers of Commerce in Laos as well as the China Southern Airlines, expressed their support to the commitment and efforts by both the Lao and Chinese governments in stopping illegal wildlife trade.

They vowed to work and cooperate with Lao and Chinese authorities in preventing and reporting these illegal activities, and refraining from participating and engaging in activities that contribute to illegal wildlife trade.