China firmly opposes ivory smuggling and will continue to work with the international community to protect wildlife, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at the ministry's daily news briefing in response to a question about three Chinese citizens apprehended in Tanzania who had a considerable amount of ivory in their residence.

China has paid close attention to the case, Hong said. The Chinese ambassador in Tanzania immediately checked the information and made a statement strongly condemning poaching and ivory smuggling and promising cooperation in fighting the crimes, Hong said.