Top 10 Chinese Animal Rights Act in 2011

Translate: Yanling Lin   Proofread: Xiaoye Xu (SAFAR research dept)

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Through the votes of media workers and netizens, the top 10 news on Chinese animal

welfare act in 2011 were announced. They are assorted in the following by chronological order:

1 Guizhentang’s plan to get publicly listed was blocked due to public outrage

Picture source: http://finance.ce.cn/rolling/201202/07/t20120207_16822528.shtml

In February, Guizhentang, a brand of bear gall products in Fujian province, was said to

seek to go public in the stock market, in order to collect investment for keeping more black bears

and producing more bear gall drugs. The raw material of such products is usually

extracted directly from living black bears and such cruelty has raised a lot of public

concerns. Experts in medical professions also questioned the legitimacy of bear bile

industry since certain herbs were found to have the same medical effects as

bear gall. Information from the stock market shows that Guizhen Hall’s plan of listing

was blocked.

2 The truck full of dogs was stopped on Beijing-Harbin Expressway

In April, on the Beijing-Harbin highway, a truck loaded with more than 500

dogs was stopped by the local volunteers. These dogs were transported from Henan

to Jilin, where they were originally destined to be slaughtered in dog-meat restaurants.

With the police’s coordination, those dogs were finally saved as volunteers paid off the

dogs from the dog traders. Those dogs were later sent to an animal shelter run by China

Small Animal Protection Association. This issue brought a lot

of public attention to the animal situation in China.
3 First animal welfare foundation in Mainland China was established

In May, “Beijing Love It“ animal protection foundation was established.

Among its cofounders are famous TV hosts Li Jing, Zhang Yue, Yuan Yuan, and

Kang Hui. It is the first animal welfare foundation in Mainland China. The foundation

commits to fight against animal abuse, to improve animal living conditions, and to

boost the harmony between human and nature. The famous singer Jeff Zhang was the

foundation’s first image ambassador.
4 Chinese animal welfare activists received international awarded

In June, Ding Liguo, Wan Jie, and Zhang Xingsheng were awarded ‘ Shark Guard’

presented by Sebastian Woods, the British ambassador to China, and Richard

Pearce, the president of UK shark conservation organization. Ding, Deputy to the

National People’s Congress, and Zhang, member of the CPPCC National Committee,

proposed to stop shark fin trade through legislation. Zhang, The North Asia

director general of the United States of America Nature Protection Association, also

contributed to the advocacy.

In 2011 World Animal Protection Fair, Du Yufeng from Sichuan Guangyuan

Small Animal Rescue Center was the winner of award “animal protection outstanding

achievement.” Xiao Bing from Xiamen gained the award “outstanding

contribution to animal protection education” for his years long active contribution in

that field.

 

5 Animals Asia Conference was held in Chengdu

In June, Asia’s largest animal welfare forum, Animals Asia Conference was held

in Chengdu. It was the first time that the conference was held in Mainland China.

The theme of the conference was to “bringing animal cruelty to an end.”

More than 400 representatives from Asia and other parts of the world attended

the conference.

 

6 Seven US citizens’ application to hunt in Qinghai province was rejected

In september, National Forestry Bureau announced to reporters that the application of

seven US citizens to hunt for blue sheep and Tibetan gazelle in Qinghai province was

rejected. This was the result of the collaborated endeavor by government officials and

many animal activists in China.

 

7 Proposed by people from all walks of life, Jinhua Dog Meat Festival was

cancelled

In September, CaiQi, Minister of Zhejiang Government Organization Department,

announced in his microblog that Dog Meat Festival would be cancelled forever. It

means that JinHuaHuTou Dog Meat Festival, which has lasted for more than 600

years, would become a history from that day on.

In recent decades, JinHuaHuTou Dog Meat Festival was a popular annual event in Zhejiang.

However, it was condemned by netizens for the cruel massacre of the dog

this year. “Micro power” has obtained great social influence. With the help of micro

blog, the suggestion of calling off this festival has gained a satisfying result.
8 “One meter” Team and “Don’t Eat Friends” Band

performed in 12 cities  in Oct.

“Don’t Eat Friends” band has made a brilliant performance journey on the theme

of protecting animals in 12 cities in China.

The chief singer, Xie Zheng said, “the activity is very successful. We hope that more friends

will learn about animal situation in China. Many people are very compassionate and

concerned of the animal suffering in China. However, because of a lack of report on these

animal issues, many people are not aware of what animals are experiencing in our country.

Once they get to know this situation, they will show their love.”
9 Animal protecting organization collaborated with sohu to say no to fur products.

In November, “Refuse to bloody fur” was launched, initiated by Act Asia and sohu micro blog

with the support from more than 50 animal welfare organizations. Actasia would collect “no fur”

fashion quotation, painting designs, performance art, film, and photographs from Chinese citizens.

It will conduct surveys of fur consumption in China and take consumers’ oat “to be a caring

consumer” to reject fur.
10 Many famous comedians offered help to support stray animals

In December, the charity performance, “We help you over the winter, rescuing stray

animals” was held in Beijing. Xu Deliang, Zhang Dewu and other actors form Starry

Night Comic Club not only donated their works, but also performed crosstalk with Li

Jing, He Yunwei and other comedian stars. All the income would be donated to

RuiJia Rescue Voluntary Society to protect stray animals.

Pictures’ resources:

http://finance.jrj.com.cn/biz/2012/02/22133112312599.shtml

http://news.szhou.cn/2011/04/14802.shtml

http://www.tajijin.cn/show_content.php?n_id=2082

http://gongyi.sina.com.cn/gyzx/2011-06-08/152027016.html

http://www.zhfgwh.com/Vegetarian/guangai/25077.html

http://www.mzsites.com/content/world-report/china-news/state-forestry-

administration-americans-withdrawn-application-hunting-qinghai-map.html

http://news.qq.com/a/20110921/000840.htm#p=1

http://biechipengyou.blog.163.com/blog/static/166068332201061352444664/

http://ent.qq.com/a/20111211/000109.htm

http://www.lovepopo.com/news/CharityDetail?id=7387