An international inspection team says China's protection of Asian elephants and its management of the ivory trade fully meet international standards.

The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, made the evaluation after a six-day inspection tour of China.

In their evaluation, the Convention says China meets the management standards for the processing of and trade in ivory products, such as having a uniform marking system for all ivory products.

It adds that the current ivory processing and product trade in China not only conforms to the rules of CITES, but its actual implementation is even more strictly regulated and effective.

(China Daily March 16, 2005)