At a regular press conference on 19/3, when asked about the arrest of Chu Dang Khoa in South Africa on charges of rhino horn smuggling, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa contacted local authorities to verify the information and implement appropriate citizen protection measures.

"Diamond magnate" Chu Dang Khoa. *Photo: Daily Maverick*

According to Ms. Hang, the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa is continuing to coordinate with local officials to address the incident in accordance with the law.

"As a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime concerning the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Vietnam is committed to strictly fulfilling its international obligations regarding wildlife protection and combating illegal trade in wild animals and plants," the spokesperson emphasized.

Ms. Hang added that Vietnam has enacted many laws and implemented various management, protection, and strict punitive measures against illegal wildlife trade.

Member of Parliament Andrew de Blocq, spokesperson for South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) on Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, stated on 12/3 that two Vietnamese citizens, Chu Dang Khoa and Tran Huy Bao, were arrested on charges related to wildlife trafficking.

Chu Dang Khoa, known as the "diamond magnate," was convicted by a South African court in 2011 for illegally possessing 5 rhino horns, fined 40,000 ZAR (3,000 USD), and deported.

Ngoc Anh