Representatives sign on the board. HOU LIQIANG/CHINA DAILY

"We look forward to stronger interaction where I believe an exchange of ideas will inform our global campaignsespecially now as we approach the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to Convention International Trade In Endangered Species to be held later this year in South Africa," said Kahumb.

Solomon Kyalo, head of CITES Implementation at KWS, said: "China and Kenya have worked closely together to curb poaching and illegal ivory trade over the recent past. "I am glad to say that our close partnership especially in exchange of intelligence has yielded positive results that have seen a dramatic fall of elephant killings.

"It is not a one-off process and I believe our collaboration will continue."

The initiative is proposed by Chinese embassy in Kenya, Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, Kenya China Economic and Trade Association, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in East Africa, Head Office of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR Project of CRBC.