EU-funded Champions of Change (COC II) project
A survey of rosewood markets
In October and November 2025, TRAFFIC, together with its partner China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA), conducted a survey of rosewood markets, visiting several regions including Guangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong to collect first-hand data. The aim was to understand the current status, challenges, dynamics, and future development trends of the whole supply chain. Through on-site inspections of the rosewood market and production lines, as well as in-depth discussions with practitioners and the relevant industry association, the survey gathered information on the major precious tropical hardwoods in the Chinese market and explored sustainability and compliance matters.
Preliminary survey results include: compared to five years ago, the rosewood market has seen significantly shrinking, both in sales and price. Some traders have already switched to other commodities while others focus on seeking innovation and development. There is a significant price difference among low-end, mid-range, and high-end rosewood furniture types. Small rosewood products (such as bracelets) are gradually gaining popularity through online sales. E-commerce formats like live-streaming have become one of the important channels for sales. Since very few rosewood products are exported, most companies are not familiarwith the requirements of EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
European Union, 2025
(Market survey in Dongyang Timber Markets, Zhejiang Province, October 2025)
European Union, 2025
(Visit a timber company in Guangdong Province, November 2025.)
A side meeting of CITES CoP20: “China and the European Union: Fostering Effective Wildlife Trade Enforcement Cooperation”
On 24 November 2025, during the first day of CITES CoP20, TRAFFIC supported China and the European Union in co-hosting the side event “China and the European Union: Fostering Effective Wildlife Trade Enforcement Cooperation.” The event attracted over 150 participants from Parties and observers (including NGOs, research organisations, industry and community representatives).
Co-chaired by Cristina de Avila, Head of the EU Delegation to the COP, and Wan Ziming, Head of the Chinese Delegation, the session showcased their respective robust frameworks against illegal wildlife trade.
The EU highlighted its Environmental Crime Directive (2024) and EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking (2022–2027), along with intelligence‑sharing tools such as the European Trade in Wildlife Exchange (EU‑TWIX, which links 1,500 officials in 39 countries, and holds over 100,000 seizure records. Under EMPACT, the targeted Operation LAKE has resulted in major seizures of endangered glass eels.
China outlined enhancements to their Wildlife Protection Law and targeted operations such as “Cyber Shield” and “Clean Breeze” to dismantle illegal trade networks. China continues to promote legal and sustainable trade while strengthening border controls and multilateral cooperation.
Both China and the EU recognized illegal wildlife trade as a transnational challenge requiring sustained global coordination. They have moved “from dialogue to action,” sharing intelligence, conducting controlled deliveries, and investigating cross‑border cases together, as exemplified by the first EU‑China enforcement dialogue in Shanghai last September.
Edward van Asch, ICCWC Coordinator at the CITES Secretariat, expressed gratitude for the EU's sustained support—including through the GUARD wildlife project for ICCWC Vision 2030—and commended its leadership in enforcement under the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking. He also highlighted China's exceptional commitment, noting its role in spearheading initiatives such as Operation Mekong Dragon and sustained engagement in ICCWC-supported operations like Thunder since 2017.
A follow-up panel with the EU, China, Singapore, Uzbekistan, and TRAFFIC then explored boosting multilateral cooperation and CITES implementation through cross-border collaboration.
This event built on the momentum of previous dialogue processes, setting a strong precedent for further strengthening of joint action against wildlife crime.
European Union, 2025
(China-EU Law Enforcement Side Event at CITES COP20)