Ivory carver fears the destruction of 'traditional Chinese culture' by 'attention-seeking lawmakers'

Leung Lee-cheong is not your typical local craftsman. Master of a dying trade and holder of one of just a few hundred licences to possess and sell ivory in the city, he also claims to be the owner of some 50 to 60kg of finely crafted ivory and mammoth tusks "worth millions".

But his proud possessions, most of them sitting in his home, have now become his biggest headache as public pressure ramps up for a complete wipeout of the ivory trade in Hong Kong.

He was given a scare when the government said it would consider making a list of the city's licence-to-possess holders public. The idea has now been scrapped due to personal data privacy concerns.

He said having to disclose information about himself could put him at the mercy of conservation groups, vehemently lobbying for a complete ban on ivory sales to help curb illegal elephant poaching in Africa, and greater public scrutiny, which would ultimately affect his business.

Leung makes his living selling his works - which now mainly comprises bamboo, wood and bone carvings - to licensed arts and crafts stores around Hong Kong, including those on Hollywood Road. He has a son with no interest in inheriting his craft.

"It will kill us, having to declare who we sell to. I'm pretty sure nobody will buy any more and if they do, they will probably demand very low prices," Leung, 75, told the Post in his poorly lit, poorly ventilated shoebox-sized workshop.