China made the announcement that it plans on bringing the world’s largest ivory trade market to a halt, a huge win for environmentalists as well as the elephants. By halting this trade, China also benefits itself.

China will be cultivating new allies with the African nations who have, for years, pushed for movements against elephant poaching. The Chinese government will also be establishing itself as a leading environmentally friendly nation.

For years, Chinese officials felt the elephant population’s decrease was not their problem, and that they didn’t need to take action. They could not have been more wrong. The importation of African Elephants to China led to large amounts of illegal poaching, which only made the population issue worse, but supported the ivory trade.

By taking action and halting the ivory trade and importation of African Elephants, China will be helping to preserve the species and protect the environmental balance.