China has rejected allegations that two of its diplomats have been involved in illegally smuggling ivory from Uganda, AFP news agency reports.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a probe into possible collusion between the country’s wildlife agency and the diplomats, a spokeswoman for Uganda’s top anti-corruption body, Ali Munira, said last week.

China dismissed reports of the allegations as “totally unfounded”.

“We have rigorous regulations and laws on governmental officials, embassy members, and visiting groups to forbid them from buying or engaging in [smuggling] activities,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.

“We will punish them if they are found to be engaged in such activities,” she added.