Animal welfare and rights in China
Historically Chinese philosophy has placed importance on compassion for animals. However some think in recent decades China locate its priorities elsewhere. Others see Animal welfare and rights in China is a topic of growing interest and the ideas of animal welfare and animal rights were introduced to China in the 1990s. Animal-rights activists frequently condemn China's treatment of animals. Movements towards animal welfare and animal rights are expanding in China, including among homegrown Chinese activists.
Several traditional Chinese worldviews emphasize caring for animals, including Taoism and Buddhist vegetarianism. Taoist Zhuang Zhou taught compassion for all sentient beings.
In more recent times, Prof. Peter J. Li suggests, many in mainland China have become relatively indifferent to animal suffering, perhaps partly because of Mao Zedong's campaigns against bourgeois sentiments, such as "sympathy for the downtrodden". Caring about animals was regarded as "counter-revolutionary". Since 1978, China has emphasized growth and avoidance of famine, which the government considers important for political stability. Local officials are evaluated based on local jobs and revenue. This has led to less concern for animal welfare.
In more recent times, Prof. Peter J. Li suggests, many in mainland China have become relatively indifferent to animal suffering, perhaps partly because of Mao Zedong's campaigns against bourgeois sentiments, such as "sympathy for the downtrodden". Caring about animals was regarded as "counter-revolutionary". Since 1978, China has emphasized growth and avoidance of famine, which the government considers important for political stability. Local officials are evaluated based on local jobs and revenue. This has led to less concern for animal welfare.
Food animals - livestock
Livestock farming has grown exponentially in China in recent years, such that China is now "the world’s biggest animal farming nation." In 1978, China collectively consumed 1/3 as much meat as the United States. By 1992 China had caught up, and by 2012, China's meat consumption was more than double that of the U.S.
Almost 3/4 of China's meat is pork, and China's 476 million pigs comprise half of the world's pig population. China produces 37 million tons of farmed fish—more than 60% of the world's total.
A 2005-2006 survey by Prof. Peter J. Li found that many farming methods that the European Union is trying to reduce or eliminate are commonplace in China, including gestation crates, battery cages, foie gras, early weaning of cows, and clipping of ears/beaks/tails. Livestock in China may be transported over long distances, and there are currently no humane-slaughter requirements.
Almost 3/4 of China's meat is pork, and China's 476 million pigs comprise half of the world's pig population. China produces 37 million tons of farmed fish—more than 60% of the world's total.
A 2005-2006 survey by Prof. Peter J. Li found that many farming methods that the European Union is trying to reduce or eliminate are commonplace in China, including gestation crates, battery cages, foie gras, early weaning of cows, and clipping of ears/beaks/tails. Livestock in China may be transported over long distances, and there are currently no humane-slaughter requirements.
Cooking live animals
In 2008, more than 40 animal activists in Beijing gathered to protest skinning and cooking live cats in Guangdong province. A 2010 article featuring content from Tiexue and Mop news sources showed pictures of skinned cats being submerged in boiling water.
The 2010 documentary San Hua by Guo Ke is the first to depict China's cat-meat industry. In one scene, Guo and fellow activists stop a transport truck and find "more than 300 cats crammed into cramped wooden cages, unable to move"—some missing tails and others "crushed into unconsciousness." In another scene at Fa's Cat Restaurant, Guo used a hidden camera to film cooks beating cats with a wooden stick, dumping them into a fur-removal machine, and then boiling them.
Pictures have also circulated featuring two dogs in boiling water in China. It's claimed this is because some Chinese prefer the taste of adrenaline-soaked meat. In some areas, dogs are beaten to death in order to release blood into the meat.
Yin Yang fish involves deep-frying fish while it's still alive. The practice has been condemned by animal-rights activists. Many chefs in Taiwan are no longer willing to prepare it, but it's popular in mainland China.
Some chefs cook a carp's body while keeping its head wrapped in a cloth so that it can keep breathing. In 2009, a video of Chinese diners prodding and eating alive a fried fish went viral on YouTube and provoked an outcry from PETA.
On streets in China, live scorpions are "scooped up alive and wriggling, skewered on a kebab, and deep-fried in oil."
The 2010 documentary San Hua by Guo Ke is the first to depict China's cat-meat industry. In one scene, Guo and fellow activists stop a transport truck and find "more than 300 cats crammed into cramped wooden cages, unable to move"—some missing tails and others "crushed into unconsciousness." In another scene at Fa's Cat Restaurant, Guo used a hidden camera to film cooks beating cats with a wooden stick, dumping them into a fur-removal machine, and then boiling them.
Pictures have also circulated featuring two dogs in boiling water in China. It's claimed this is because some Chinese prefer the taste of adrenaline-soaked meat. In some areas, dogs are beaten to death in order to release blood into the meat.
Yin Yang fish involves deep-frying fish while it's still alive. The practice has been condemned by animal-rights activists. Many chefs in Taiwan are no longer willing to prepare it, but it's popular in mainland China.
Some chefs cook a carp's body while keeping its head wrapped in a cloth so that it can keep breathing. In 2009, a video of Chinese diners prodding and eating alive a fried fish went viral on YouTube and provoked an outcry from PETA.
On streets in China, live scorpions are "scooped up alive and wriggling, skewered on a kebab, and deep-fried in oil."
Eating live animals - main article: Eating live seafood
Drunken shrimp are eaten while struggling to get away. One tourist visiting China described eating drunken shrimp as follows: "Everyone at the table reached into the bowl, chose a particularly feisty little (or rather quite big) shrimp, and placed him on their plate. As poor Mr. Shrimp jumped up and down [...] you picked him up, ripped off his head, and proceeded to peel him as fast as you can."
Some Chinese food markets include live animals, such as live scorpions
Drunken shrimp are eaten while struggling to get away. One tourist visiting China described eating drunken shrimp as follows: "Everyone at the table reached into the bowl, chose a particularly feisty little (or rather quite big) shrimp, and placed him on their plate. As poor Mr. Shrimp jumped up and down [...] you picked him up, ripped off his head, and proceeded to peel him as fast as you can."
Some Chinese food markets include live animals, such as live scorpions
Non-meat farming
Bile bears
China farms about 10,000 Asiatic black bears for bile production—an industry worth roughly $1.6 billion per year. The bears are permanently kept in cages, and bile is extracted from cuts in their stomachs. In Jan. 2013, Animals Asia Foundation rescued six bile bears, which had broken and rotted teeth due to gnawing at their cages.
Jackie Chan and Yao Ming have publicly opposed bear farming. In 2012, over 70 Chinese celebrities took part in a petition against an IPO application by Fujian Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co. due to the company's selling of bear-bile medicines. In 2013, the company pulled its IPO application.
According to Jill Robinson, over 1000 Chinese medicine stores have committed to not selling bear bile, but this compares with over 40,000 such shops in all of China
Jackie Chan and Yao Ming have publicly opposed bear farming. In 2012, over 70 Chinese celebrities took part in a petition against an IPO application by Fujian Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co. due to the company's selling of bear-bile medicines. In 2013, the company pulled its IPO application.
According to Jill Robinson, over 1000 Chinese medicine stores have committed to not selling bear bile, but this compares with over 40,000 such shops in all of China
Fur
China is the biggest fur-producing nation. Some fur animals are skinned alive, and others may be beaten to death with sticks.
In Nov. 2013, PETA released a video of a live angora rabbit in northeastern China having its fur torn off. The video received 200,000 views on China's video site Youku within a month and prompted UK retailers like Primark and Topshop to stop imports from China of products using angora wool
Other
Asian palm civets are farmed in battery cages to produce Kopi Luwak ("civet coffee").
In Nov. 2013, PETA released a video of a live angora rabbit in northeastern China having its fur torn off. The video received 200,000 views on China's video site Youku within a month and prompted UK retailers like Primark and Topshop to stop imports from China of products using angora wool
Other
Asian palm civets are farmed in battery cages to produce Kopi Luwak ("civet coffee").
Animal testing
China has a $32 billion beauty market, and over 300,000 animals are thought to be used each year for required product tests. China is the only major buyer where mascaras and lotions need to be tested on animals.
In 2013, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) relaxed its testing requirements by allowing Chinese companies to verify safety using data from overseas tests, including non-animal tests. Foreign companies are still required to perform animal testing, but Humane Society International was hopeful about further humane reforms to come.
On 30 June 2014, CFDA eliminated its requirement for animal testing of "ordinary cosmetics" like shampoos and some skin-care items as long as companies provided alternative data showing safety. This change does not extend to imported cosmetics or to "any special-use products, including hair dyes and sunblocks." Also, some animal tests are likely to continue for now even on exempt products because some testers do not have the technology for alternative in vitro methods. Still, animal activists were excited by the announcement, and over 50 of them took to the streets of Dalian in northeastern China to celebrate, wearing bunny ears.
In 2013, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) relaxed its testing requirements by allowing Chinese companies to verify safety using data from overseas tests, including non-animal tests. Foreign companies are still required to perform animal testing, but Humane Society International was hopeful about further humane reforms to come.
On 30 June 2014, CFDA eliminated its requirement for animal testing of "ordinary cosmetics" like shampoos and some skin-care items as long as companies provided alternative data showing safety. This change does not extend to imported cosmetics or to "any special-use products, including hair dyes and sunblocks." Also, some animal tests are likely to continue for now even on exempt products because some testers do not have the technology for alternative in vitro methods. Still, animal activists were excited by the announcement, and over 50 of them took to the streets of Dalian in northeastern China to celebrate, wearing bunny ears.
Zoos
According to Prof. Peter J. Li, a few Chinese zoos are improving their welfare practices, but many remain "outdated", have poor conditions, use live feeding, and employ animals for performances. Safari parks may feed live sheep and poultry to lions as a spectacle for crowds.
Other animal-rights issues
In Beijing, vendors sell fish, turtles, and amphibians as key rings and mobile-phone decorations. Animal-rights activists condemn the practice because the animals may run out of air and die quickly, and they may also pose hazards to human health. An Avaaz petition against these keychains had 980,000 signatures as of July 2014.
Animal-rights movement
Ideas of animal welfare and animal rights were introduced to China in the 1990s.- China's animal-protection movement is growing, particularly among young people, especially those in urban areas and on the Internet. International NGOs played some role in igniting China's animal movement, but local groups are increasingly taking over.
China is home to 130 million dogs, mostly pets. As China becomes wealthier, more people are owning pets, which increases opposition to animal cruelty. In Apr. 2012, activists rescued 505 dogs that were headed to slaughter from a truck where they had endured harsh conditions.
Chinese activists prevented introduction of a bullfighting project in 2010 and rodeos in 2011. Activists have pre-empted a foie gras factory, ended live feeding in zoos, and rescued thousands of dogs and cats from being killed for meat. Vegetarian restaurants are increasing, though partly because of fashion rather than ethics.
A 2011 survey of about 6000 Chinese found that while about 2/3 of respondents had never previously heard of "animal welfare", 65.8% expressed at least partial support of animal-welfare laws, and more than half said they were fully or partially willing to pay more for humane animal products.
China is home to 130 million dogs, mostly pets. As China becomes wealthier, more people are owning pets, which increases opposition to animal cruelty. In Apr. 2012, activists rescued 505 dogs that were headed to slaughter from a truck where they had endured harsh conditions.
Chinese activists prevented introduction of a bullfighting project in 2010 and rodeos in 2011. Activists have pre-empted a foie gras factory, ended live feeding in zoos, and rescued thousands of dogs and cats from being killed for meat. Vegetarian restaurants are increasing, though partly because of fashion rather than ethics.
A 2011 survey of about 6000 Chinese found that while about 2/3 of respondents had never previously heard of "animal welfare", 65.8% expressed at least partial support of animal-welfare laws, and more than half said they were fully or partially willing to pay more for humane animal products.
Legislation
China currently has no animal-welfare laws.
In 2006, Zhou Ping of the National People's Congress introduced the first nationwide animal-protection law in China, but it didn't move forward.
In Sept. 2009, the first comprehensive Animal protection law of the People's Republic of China was introduced, but it hasn't made any progress.
In 2006, Zhou Ping of the National People's Congress introduced the first nationwide animal-protection law in China, but it didn't move forward.
In Sept. 2009, the first comprehensive Animal protection law of the People's Republic of China was introduced, but it hasn't made any progress.
The Chinese draft legislation on animal welfare - translated into English: "People's Republic of China Anti-Cruelty to Animals Act" (Expert Proposal)
Criticism
Tsinghua University professor Zhao Nanyuan argues that animal rights represents a form of Western imperialism ("foreign trash") that is "anti-humanity". He argues that animals are not sentient and therefore don't have rights. He encourages China to learn from the example of South Koreans who refused Western protests of its dog-meat traditions.
As critics point out, Nanyuan's cold outlook ignores the following truism: "Granted, these animals do not have all the desires we humans have; granted, they do not comprehend everything we humans comprehend; nevertheless, we and they do have some of the same desires and do comprehend some of the same things. The desires for food and water, shelter and companionship, freedom of movement and avoidance of pain."
Some claim that it's contradictory for the U.S. to condemn China's mistreatment of animals while engaging in its own forms of animal cruelty. Chinese animal-welfare groups censured an American-style rodeo, as well as Jackie Chan's support for it. One Chinese commenter said of Chan: "You made a video about the protection of bears, and now you're promoting the mistreatment of cattle, it's a massive contradiction. Brother Chan, you've hurt me deeply - source
As critics point out, Nanyuan's cold outlook ignores the following truism: "Granted, these animals do not have all the desires we humans have; granted, they do not comprehend everything we humans comprehend; nevertheless, we and they do have some of the same desires and do comprehend some of the same things. The desires for food and water, shelter and companionship, freedom of movement and avoidance of pain."
Some claim that it's contradictory for the U.S. to condemn China's mistreatment of animals while engaging in its own forms of animal cruelty. Chinese animal-welfare groups censured an American-style rodeo, as well as Jackie Chan's support for it. One Chinese commenter said of Chan: "You made a video about the protection of bears, and now you're promoting the mistreatment of cattle, it's a massive contradiction. Brother Chan, you've hurt me deeply - source
China's wildlife experts call for effective wild animal conservation in draft law
China is working on a revised version of its Animal Protection Law – a law which experts say treats wild animals as resources and has failed to halt their slaughter.
China is revising its wild animal protection law, amid growing demands for a dramatic shift in emphasis. Strange as may now seem, China’s existing 1989 animal protection law was written partly to encourage sales of rare animal parts to earn foreign exchange, back in the early days of market reforms.
It has been widely criticised, and dubbed an “animal utilisation law” as it encourages captive breeding and training of wild animals, rather than conservation and protection. Chinese experts are now calling for a new emphasis on animal welfare and conservation policies, and say the new law will fail unless it discourages trading in wildlife.
A draft law is due to be considered by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee in 2015, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Habitat destruction, hunting and trapping are the main threats to China’s wild animal populations, and critics say the existing Wild Animal Protection Law is often powerless to help.
It has been widely criticised, and dubbed an “animal utilisation law” as it encourages captive breeding and training of wild animals, rather than conservation and protection. Chinese experts are now calling for a new emphasis on animal welfare and conservation policies, and say the new law will fail unless it discourages trading in wildlife.
A draft law is due to be considered by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee in 2015, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Habitat destruction, hunting and trapping are the main threats to China’s wild animal populations, and critics say the existing Wild Animal Protection Law is often powerless to help.
Attitudes to animal protection are changing fast. Chang Jiwen, deputy head of the Resources and Environment Policy Institute, part of the State Council’s Development Research Centre, organised a recent seminar at which he said that only five years ago experts would not have dared to suggest including animal welfare in an updated law.
Those present were in general agreement that the ongoing destruction of China’s wildlife will be hard to stop without changing the law’s focus on how to utilise animals.
The current 1989 law created a system of wild animal breeding permits, issued by what is now called the State Forestry Administration. The belief was that the best way to protect threatened wildlife was by developing a wild animal breeding and training sector. China’s success at breeding captive pandas is the global poster child for the success in this sort of conservation. Even so, China’s panda conservationists are also increasingly turning their attention to threats to wild panda populations.
Those present were in general agreement that the ongoing destruction of China’s wildlife will be hard to stop without changing the law’s focus on how to utilise animals.
The current 1989 law created a system of wild animal breeding permits, issued by what is now called the State Forestry Administration. The belief was that the best way to protect threatened wildlife was by developing a wild animal breeding and training sector. China’s success at breeding captive pandas is the global poster child for the success in this sort of conservation. Even so, China’s panda conservationists are also increasingly turning their attention to threats to wild panda populations.
Conservationists are increasingly criticising the law’s supportive focus on breeding captive animals. Mang Ping, a professor at the Central College of Socialism, thinks the current law’s language about “appropriate use of resources” and “developing the training and breeding sector,” are a major reason wild animal numbers have fallen, saying a law based on resources use cannot control trapping and hunting effectively. “The breeding of endangered animals is just for the benefit of the rich and officials,” she says.
She pointed out that China has 6,000 tigers in captivity but only about 30 in the wild.
Breeders often catch wild animals to pass them off as captive-bred, thereby saving money and increasing their profits, according to Qin Peng of Chongqing University.
As a result, enforcement officials struggle to distinguish between wild and captive-bred turtles, resulting in falling wild populations and extinctions, according to turtle expert and deputy dean of Hainan Normal University Shi Haitao.
She pointed out that China has 6,000 tigers in captivity but only about 30 in the wild.
Breeders often catch wild animals to pass them off as captive-bred, thereby saving money and increasing their profits, according to Qin Peng of Chongqing University.
As a result, enforcement officials struggle to distinguish between wild and captive-bred turtles, resulting in falling wild populations and extinctions, according to turtle expert and deputy dean of Hainan Normal University Shi Haitao.
A report from World Animal Protection argues the current law only offers protection in order to allow for utilisation of wild animals, saying, “Only when the focus is on protection will this law be worth of its name." During the 2013 meeting of the National People’s Congress, delegate Luo Shenglian, who is also a deputy dean of Nanchang Hangkong University, joined forces with 36 other representatives to request a revision of the animal protection law. Their proposal – which gained wide attention -- urged dropping use of the phrase “wild animal resources” as it emphasises wildlife utilisation rather than protection.
Wang Song, a Chinese Academy of Sciences zoologist, helped draft the original law over 20 years ago, and says he is surprised is has still not been revised.
There are historical reasons for the emphasis on wild animals as a resource. Wang explained: “Back then we wanted to use our resources to earn foreign currency for the nation. Nearly thirty years later things are different and a change is overdue.”
Wang Song, a Chinese Academy of Sciences zoologist, helped draft the original law over 20 years ago, and says he is surprised is has still not been revised.
There are historical reasons for the emphasis on wild animals as a resource. Wang explained: “Back then we wanted to use our resources to earn foreign currency for the nation. Nearly thirty years later things are different and a change is overdue.”
Animals used as 'resources'
Wang once told the Beijing Times that, because the country needed economic growth, wild animals were seen as resources. “Back then if we were writing about wild animals, we’d talk about how they could be used in medicine, or for their fur, or to make export products that would bring in foreign exchange.
Qing Jianhua headed the forest and wildlife protection department at the former Ministry of Forestry, and represented the ministry during drafting of the original law. In an interview with the Beijing Times, he has described how China’s understanding of wild animals has gradually evolved. In 1959 the ministry issued instructions on protection of “wild animal resources”, specifying for the same time that such resources belonged to the state, he said.
Previously wild animals were not regarded as being owned, and therefore free for the taking. Many wild animals were also seen as harmful. The People’s Daily published articles about “hero tiger-hunters” and local governments would reward anyone who killed a wolf by giving them a goat.
In the 1980s, the ministry submitted regulations on the management and protection of wild animals to the State Council for approval. However, those regulations were upgraded to the status of a law so as to give them more force. It took eight years to complete the process, but in 1989 the Wild Animal Protection Law came into force.
Qing Jianhua headed the forest and wildlife protection department at the former Ministry of Forestry, and represented the ministry during drafting of the original law. In an interview with the Beijing Times, he has described how China’s understanding of wild animals has gradually evolved. In 1959 the ministry issued instructions on protection of “wild animal resources”, specifying for the same time that such resources belonged to the state, he said.
Previously wild animals were not regarded as being owned, and therefore free for the taking. Many wild animals were also seen as harmful. The People’s Daily published articles about “hero tiger-hunters” and local governments would reward anyone who killed a wolf by giving them a goat.
In the 1980s, the ministry submitted regulations on the management and protection of wild animals to the State Council for approval. However, those regulations were upgraded to the status of a law so as to give them more force. It took eight years to complete the process, but in 1989 the Wild Animal Protection Law came into force.
'Evil industry'
Xi Zhinong, a well-known conservationist, describes the breeding of wild animals, something encouraged by the current law, as “an evil industry”. He questions whether the money China makes from the sector is worth the damage to the country’s reputation.
According to Shi Haitao, the industry is worth 7.8 billion yuan (US$1.25 billion) a year, with over 20,000 companies breeding wild animals and making products from them: “7.8 billion yuan to ruin our reputation!” he says.
When traveling abroad, Shi hears a lot of criticism Chinese for eating of wild animals, saying, “They call China a graveyard for turtle species. He says he has attended many international conferences where overseas academics attack China for hunting wild animals, rather than protecting them.
“This doesn’t just damage valuable natural resources,” said Shi. “It damages the national image.” And if this continues, he adds, China won’t have any wild animals left - source (2015)
According to Shi Haitao, the industry is worth 7.8 billion yuan (US$1.25 billion) a year, with over 20,000 companies breeding wild animals and making products from them: “7.8 billion yuan to ruin our reputation!” he says.
When traveling abroad, Shi hears a lot of criticism Chinese for eating of wild animals, saying, “They call China a graveyard for turtle species. He says he has attended many international conferences where overseas academics attack China for hunting wild animals, rather than protecting them.
“This doesn’t just damage valuable natural resources,” said Shi. “It damages the national image.” And if this continues, he adds, China won’t have any wild animals left - source (2015)