Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2020 shows poisonous live ants seized by Changsha Customs from a parcel shipped from overseas in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province. (Changsha Customs/Handout via Xinhua)
BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- China decided to begin a one-year action plan to prevent invasive alien species from entering border ports across the country as part of efforts to safeguard the country's biodiversity and ecological environment.↳
The country faces increasing risks of invasive alien species due to the rapid development of international trade and frequent cross-border personnel exchanges in recent years, according to the General Administration of Customs.↳
A total of 1,826 live animal and plant species that were banned from entering the country were intercepted in the first eight months, and a number of criminal gangs that illegally imported exotic pets were dismantled, the administration said.↳
China will strengthen inspection of alien species in freight transport, consignments and deliveries, cross-border e-commerce and border trade. ■↳■
