BEIJING — China says it is suspending rule changes allowing trading in tiger and rhinoceros parts, after the move to reverse a ban sparked an outcry from environmental groups.

The official Xinhua News Agency quoted Cabinet official Ding Xuedong as saying Monday that the rule change had "been postponed after study."

Tiger bone and rhino horn are used in traditional Chinese medicine, despite a lack of evidence of their effectiveness and the negative effect on wild populations.

The Xinhua report said the ban on the import and export of rhino and tiger parts and their use in traditional Chinese medicine would be maintained.

Chinese authorities late last month said the country would allow trading in products made from endangered tigers and rhinos under "special circumstances," bringing condemnation from conservation groups.