"A ban on all sales of ivory products in China [came] into force on Sunday, a move hailed by conservationists as an important step in the fight to protect endangered species such as African elephants.

China, one of the world's biggest markets for African ivory, announced last year that it would outlaw all domestic trade and processing by the end of 2017.

The move came after pressure that its vast demand for ivory - seen as a status symbol by some in the country - fuels elephant poaching in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania."

Yarno Ritzen reports for Aljazeera December 31, 2017. [2]