The Chinese government destroyed 6.1 tonnes of confiscated ivory on Monday in Dongguan City of southern Guangdong Province.

The event, the first public ivory destruction in China, was the country's latest effort to discourage illegal ivory trade, protect wildlife and raise public awareness.

Raw tusks and carved ivory pieces, which the government has seized over the years, were dumped into two crushers.

The event was held by the State Forestry Administration and the General Administration of Customs. Endit