The proposed revisions to China's wildlife protection law of 1988 should aim to make the private ownership of threatened species illegal. This would help to control the country's flourishing trade in illegal animal products. It is also important to tackle the public's demand for such goods by changing their perceived 'luxury' status.

One of us (Z.-M.Z.) investigated criminal trading in China of ivory, rhino horn and the teeth, bones and pelts of big cats in 2010–13, all products from animals of crucial conservation concern. However, these are much sought after and have a high market value — accounting for roughly half the worth of all 78 species investigated.

Farming or ranching of these animals might present one solution, but could also act as a cover for illegal trading. Better education of the public is needed to drive home the shocking consequences of this trade for biodiversity, and to remove the demand. Coupled with amendments to the wildlife protection law, China would then be taking a major step towards valuing healthy ecosystems above objets d'art and traditional medicine practices.