Chinese And Vietnamese Transport Groups Unite In Fighting Cross-Border Wildlife Trafficking

Combatting wild species smuggling in the back of goods trucks and other modes of transport requires united action from industry leaders in China and Viet Nam, to enhance risk management and regulatory compliance.

Thanks to TRAFFIC, this landmark gathering forged a powerful partnership between the two associations and their members operating across China and Viet Nam.

On 28 May 2024, TRAFFIC organised in Beijing, China, a bilateral meeting gathering around 30 participants from companies that are members of CEA, VATA and others.

The meeting discussed the challenges of preventing wildlife smuggling within transportation networks across the China-Viet Nam border to identify solutions.

The 1,456-kilometer China-Vietnam border has the hallmarks of a trafficking hub. Thousands of logistics and transportation companies may unwittingly move wildlife contraband across the border. However, proving this is complex due to the challenges in detecting trafficked species amidst high cargo volumes, ever-evolving smuggling tactics, and drivers’ lack of awareness about legal risks.

The CEA-VATA alliance to combat illegal wildlife trade is also a testimony to sustained industry growth between China and Vietnam, opening a new chapter in the field of transportation cooperation between the two countries. It will enable best practices sharing and Government coordination on logistics policies, promising long-term economic benefits for both nations."

Ling XU, TRAFFIC China Programme Director

The event featured several key components, including a presentation from Trinh Nguyen, TRAFFIC Viet Nam Programme Office Director, on the challenges, measures and tools to combat illegal wildlife trafficking through transportation networks, followed by presentations from major express delivery and trucking companies invited to highlight their recent achievements.

VATA also took the opportunity to visit the offices of CEA and the China Road Transport Association (CRTA) to exchange learning and information.

"Since 2015, CEA has established a long-lasting partnership with TRAFFIC to curb the illegal transportation of wildlife and their products. This exchange activity opens the door to achieving greater impact by deepening ties with our Vietnamese counterparts and concerting our efforts in serving the fast-growing cross-border e-commerce, as well as reducing illegal wildlife trafficking, across our two nations," said Han Ruilin, Vice Chairman of CEA.

The exchange activity included a site visit to a distribution centre to see logistics operations, and a meeting between VATA and the China Road Transport Association to share knowledge and experience on policies, technological innovation, cross-border transportation facilitation, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to counter illegal wildlife trade.  

The cooperation exhibited by road transportation/express associations in combating wildlife trafficking is the culmination of over a decade of engagement efforts by TRAFFIC with transport industries in both China and Viet Nam, involving more than 50 Chinese and Vietnamese courier and logistic companies in the fight against wildlife trafficking over borders.

"Enhancing cross-border logistics cooperation with China is a crucial milestone in our efforts to reduce the movement of unlawful goods within Vietnam and the associated risks of being involved in an unlawful trade chain," continued Do Xuan Hoa, Vice Chairman of VATA.

The event successfully ended with the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding between CEA and VATA.

The MOU will deepen cooperation across various areas including combating the illegal transport of wildlife and wildlife products while promoting sustainable practices in the express delivery and auto transport sectors between the two countries.