How China can help protect Africa's forests

Sharing the reports on China-Africa Forest Governance Platform, customs research & Mozambique's forestry

Endangered animals have scored major wins over the past two months. 

- The giant panda’s classification improved from an “endangered” to a “vulnerable” species [International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List] 

- CITES COP17 also increased protection of endangered animals like rhinoceros, lion, elephant, pangolin scales and African grey parrot. 

While these are certainly important steps, the animals' survival is not guaranteed.  

Herein lies the problem - even though the animals themselves are protected, their home and food source (like this forest) may not be protected.

Africa is home to some of the most magnificent creatures on earth. Many of these animals are endangered and so are their forest homes.  

But there is hope for these animals and their forests!
This month GEI directs our attention to preserving the African forests as we hold the third session of the “China-Africa Forest Governance Learning Platform” in Beijing on October 24 to 25, 2016. 

“China-Africa Forest Governance Learning Platform” Third Session
Who: Representatives from governments, industry association, enterprises, NGOs, universities and research institutions of China and African countries, such as Ghana, Cameroon, Mozambique, Congo (DRC) and Uganda. 
What: The representatives will discuss how private sectors participate in forest governance; how Chinese stakeholders can promote Africa forest governance; and methods to enhance understanding and communication.
Where: Beijing
When: October 24-25, 2016
Why: Promoting legal and sustainable forest product trade and investment between China and Africa.

The meeting is joint-organized by Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF), Global Environment Institute (GEI), World Wide Fund for Nature-China (WWF in China), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and European Forest Institute (EFI). 
GEI will give follow-up reports of the meeting, just stay tuned! 

Hey! Wait! There’s more!GEI is not just one of the organizers of the meeting. We also have some work related to China-Africa forestry trade in past months to share with you.

Comparative Study of Customs Process of Forestry Trade between China and Mozambique

Research

    The increasing influence of China-Africa forestry trade on African forest resources has been an international concern for a long time. In recent years, many research shows data asymmetry between China and African forestry trade, raising doubt about the legitimacy of Chinese companies’ engagement in forestry trade in Africa. 
    In 2016, GEI conducted research on the customs process of forestry trade and reviewed the documents and data that might lead to data error or asymmetry. After an intense research period, we successfully put forward suggestions for the Chinese government and timber exporters in Africa to decrease or eliminate possible data asymmetry in customs process, so as to provide a better understanding of the legitimacy of the China-Africa forestry trade. 

Recommendations

    After the analysis of customs process, we found that China’s General Administration of Customs has taken many measures to ensure that the timber imports conform to relevant laws in China and international conventions of CITES. Even so, links with the potential risk or data asymmetry still exist in the importing process of timber. 

Main areas for improvement include: - Export Documents - Price negotiation - Calendar periods- Product categorizing - Transit records 
The research suggests to form a bilateral recognition mechanism of timber trade policy among China and Africa exporters, and implement the recognized policies by the customs. 

    In addition to the research on China’s customs, we have cooperated with the Universidad Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) to conduct a similar research in Mozambique; this will be the first comparative analysis of its kind with China. 

Cooperation

    Zhang Jingwei, Investment, Trade and Environment program officer at GEI, participated in the kick-off meeting for Mozambique customs research project of UEM in Mozambique this August.     She shared the discovery and result of China’s customs research, and got positive feedback from local stakeholders, such as governments, research institutions and enterprises. 

The feedback from stakeholders was very positive: they thought that the comparative study of customs between China and Mozambique was timely and meaningful; and they hoped to build the bilateral recognition mechanism and bilateral communication platform as soon as possible. 
    Mozambique’s customs research is expected to be accomplished by the end of November, after which GEI will take a lead in finishing the comparative study report of China and Mozambique.     We hope that the report can provide constructive suggestions on customs process management of China and Mozambique, strengthen the customs control of timber trade documents and data statistics management of both countries, and promote policy coordination. 

Journalist Exchange

    This year, Ning Hui, an independent journalist supported by GEI’s China-Africa Journalist Exchange project, went to Mozambique and conducted field interviews and investigations of China’s investment and trade in timber there.  Her reports have been published in The Guardian and China Dialogue. 

“Mozambique faces race against time to end illegal logging” (The Guardian) Read Ning Hui’s article in The Guardian by clicking "Read More/阅读原文"