By LI Linxu

As part of efforts to safeguard ecological security and biodiversity, China has launched a special campaign to prevent the entry of invasive alien species.

The special campaign will last three years, according to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), vowing to crack down on illegal actions.

Illegal introduction, carrying, delivery and smuggling of exotic species will be punished in accordance with the law, said GACC.

The monitoring and early warning system on biosecurity across national borders will be continuously improved, as per GACC, through speeding up the application of advanced technologies and smart equipment, and stepping up relevant risk analysis and quarantine inspection procedures.

With increasingly frequent international trade and movement of people across borders, the risk of invasive alien species through border ports is on the rise.

The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China. (PHOTO: VCG)

In recent years, China has made great efforts to guard against and respond to invasive alien species, such as improving relevant rules and regulations, and strengthening inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms.

China passed its first biosecurity law in 2020 and issued its first biodiversity white paper the following year, vowing to prevent invasive alien species and protect biodiversity.

Last year, China released a new list of key invasive alien species, totaling 59 species from eight groups.

In the first half of this year, 1,405 live animal and plant species that were banned from entering the country were intercepted, and a number of criminal gangs that illegally imported exotic pets were dismantled, said an official from GACC.

Among the intercepted species, there are 599 animal and plant species that are not naturally distributed in China, such as Scolopendra galapagoensis, Messor barbarous and Triturus marmoratus.

If the invasive alien species have no natural enemies, they will negatively impact native biodiversity and ecological security, said Li Chunding, professor of China Agricultural University.

Some alien animal or plant species are inherently toxic, and can grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to the agricultural industry. Thus, prevention and control measures should be taken from the point of entry, added Li.

The special campaign is a follow-up to implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of CPC, which vowed to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity management, and make efforts to prevent and treat the harm caused by invasions of alien species.