Hong Kong to ban ivory trade

Elephant tusks are displayed by wildlife officials at the Customs Department after more than 700 kilogrammes of ivory items -- 113 tusks and 168 pieces -- were seized last week on the island of Koh Samui, in Bangkok on December 18, 2015. Nearly three tonnes of ivory have been seized in Vietnam and Thailand, officials said on December 18, highlighting the still thriving black market trade for illegal animal parts in Southeast Asia. AFP PHOTO / Christophe ARCHAMBAULT

HONG KONG: Hong Kong will ban the import and export of ivory, the city’s leader announced Wednesday, in a “historic” move hailed by animal welfare activists.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told lawmakers in his annual policy address that officials were determined to crack down on the trade in Hong Kong.