Day: November 11, 2021

THE AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN MANY AFRICAN COUNTRIES IS POSING A DIRECT THREAT TO THE FUTURE OF SOME ENDANGERED SPECIES

On 10 November, a report from the Environmental Investigation Agency says that, in recent years, the Chinese Government has ramped up its promotion of TCM in Africa as a key component of its controversial Belt and Road Initiative; major companies and countless clinics have already been established across the continent and certain retailers plan to establish full supply chains in place, from sourcing to sales.   It says that this is a prescription for disaster for some endangered animal species, such as leopards, pangolins and rhinos.  Among its findings is that TCM is being further endorsed under national laws in certain African countries, as seen in Namibia and South Africa; and that the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled the Chinese Government to strengthen its promotion of TCM in Africa.

https://eia-international.org/report/lethal-remedy-how-the-promotion-of-some-traditional-chinese-medicine-in-africa-poses-a-major-threat-to-endangered-wildlife/

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OFAC ADVISORY: CAMBODIA BUSINESS ADVISORY ON HIGH-RISK INVESTMENTS AND INTERACTIONS

On 10 November, OFAC issued this Advisory, saying that its purpose is to caution US businesses currently operating in or considering operating in Cambodia to be mindful of interactions with entities and sectors potentially involved in human rights abuses, criminal activities, and corrupt business practices.  Saying that corruption is endemic and that there a wide range of risks and risk sectors, it identifies 2 areas of primary concern –

  • Illicit finance activities in Cambodia and related risks for the financial, real estate, casino, and infrastructure sectors; and
  • Involvement with Cambodian entities involved in trafficking in persons, wildlife, and narcotics trafficking in Cambodia and related risks for the manufacturing and timber sectors

Click to access cambodia_advisory_11102021.pdf

Any modest contributions for my time and ongoing expenses are welcomed!  I have a page where you can do so, and where one-off contributions start as low as $3, at https://www.buymea3coffee.com/KoIvM842y