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Geneva: A UN panel granted China permission on Tuesday to import elephant ivory from African government stockpiles despite opposition from some countries and environmental groups.
The standing committee overseeing the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, voted 9-3 with two abstentions that China qualified for the exception needed for the one-time auction because it has dramatically improved its enforcement of ivory rules.
Ivory trade was banned globally in 1989, but reviving elephant populations allowed African countries to make a one-time sale a decade later to Japan, the only country which had previously won the right to import.
Last year, CITES authorized Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to make a second sale of 108 tons of government stocks.
The body's spokesman, Juan Carlos Vasquez, said after Tuesday's vote that China and Japan would bid for their share of ivory at an auction later this year.
The stocks approved for sale include around 44 tons from Botswana, 9 tons from Namibia, 51 tons from South Africa and 4 tons from Zimbabwe.
CITES Secretary-General Willem Wijnstekers said the body will closely supervise the sale.
"We will continue monitoring the Chinese and Japanese domestic trade controls to ensure that unscrupulous traders do not take this opportunity to launder ivory from illegal origin," he said in a statement.
China was pleased with the decision.
"China has strived for this status for a long time," said Wan Ziming, a member of the Chinese delegation.
Still, there was opposition to China's inclusion in the latest auction from African countries Ghana and Kenya, which joined Australia in trying to block the decision. Those in favor included Britain, the European Union and Japan.
Trade in elephant ivory far eclipses any demand for other animals' tusks.
Much of the ivory destined for China is carved into jewelry and ornaments bought by tourists from other parts of Asia.
After the sale, the four southern African countries will not be allowed to export ivory again for nine years and must use the sale proceeds for programs to protect their elephant populations.
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