Prince William is set to address millions of viewers in China through a televised speech about illegal wildlife trade.
The announcement was made through a press statement released by Kensington Palace on Monday, September 7. The Palace stated that the Duke of Cambridge will film his speech in mid-October in London, before it is aired on China's "Let's Talk" program over at CCTV1. The CCTV1 station reportedly has the largest audience in China.
The Kensington Palace statement also mentioned that Prince William is "grateful" to be given the opportunity to explain "how people around the world must work together to save some of the planet's most critically endangered species before they are lost forever." Apparently, Prince William was able to raise this issue with the President of China during a royal visit in Beijing earlier this year, stated the Palace. The statement also cited that the Duke of Cambridge has been encouraged by the country's "willingness to play its part in the fight against illegal wildlife trade."
Meanwhile, conservationists are hopeful that the upcoming visit of the China president in Britain, as well as Prince William's state television address, will yield positive results, reports the Express. One of which is to increase the chances for the Chinese government to announce measures that will control or stop the demand for ivory and other animal part. In some Asian countries, such as China, some of these parts are being used for traditional medicines or as trinkets. Charlie Mayhew, Chief Executive Officer of conservation charity Tusk Trust, shared that around 25,000 and 30,000 elephants were being slaughtered for their ivory tusks per year.
Mayhew said that many Chinese had no idea that animals were suffering. He explained, "For many Chinese, the word for tusk is the same as the word for tooth. They think it's old elephant teeth that have fallen out."
The Tusk Trust chief executive also shared that the campaign that Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles has led over the past years helped to spread awareness about illegal wildlife trade. Mayhew added that the royals' work has ensured that many nations, including China, are now taking the issue more seriously.
