Ban on shark fin soup: Start with government?
Source: Xinhua |
March 6, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
IS it a sin to eat shark fin soup? The question has become an improbable issue since China's top political advisory body opened its annual session on Saturday.
Yu Minhong, a national political adviser and chairman of private education firm New Oriental, endorsed a plan by his fellow adviser and entrepreneur Wan Jie to ban shark fin in government banquets.
His endorsement was not well-received on the Internet.
"Criticism on the web nearly killed me," he said. "People are saying political advisers are ignoring the life and death of the people, while concerning themselves with that of sharks. But I don't see a problem here. Besides caring about people's livelihoods, we should also pay attention to the issues of environmental protection, the world and climate."
Joining Yu's ranks is another political adviser, Han Meilin, the celebrated artist who acted as chief designer of the Beijing Olympics mascots.
"Just like eating bear bile powder, eating shark fin is no good for the body. Besides, the act itself disrupts the balance of nature," he said.
Shark fin soup, considered a delicacy and a symbol of social status, is served at mostly exclusive restaurants throughout China. A widespread belief that shark fin is of great nutritional value has only helped with its fame.
Yu said that, contrary to popular belief, the substance is low in nutrition.
According to WildAid, a wild animal conservation organization, up to 70 million sharks are slain annually for their fins, which has put at least 17 percent of known species of shark and manta on the verge of extinction.
It said the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong have been among the biggest importers of shark fin for years. So far, no legislation has been introduced in China to ban the practise.
Some think legislation should start with banning the product's use in government banquets. Wan Jie and Ding Liguo, a national legislator, are proposing such a ban now.
The government's prohibiting the consumption of shark fin might promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle and encourage businesses to follow similar lines.
Yu Minhong, a national political adviser and chairman of private education firm New Oriental, endorsed a plan by his fellow adviser and entrepreneur Wan Jie to ban shark fin in government banquets.
His endorsement was not well-received on the Internet.
"Criticism on the web nearly killed me," he said. "People are saying political advisers are ignoring the life and death of the people, while concerning themselves with that of sharks. But I don't see a problem here. Besides caring about people's livelihoods, we should also pay attention to the issues of environmental protection, the world and climate."
Joining Yu's ranks is another political adviser, Han Meilin, the celebrated artist who acted as chief designer of the Beijing Olympics mascots.
"Just like eating bear bile powder, eating shark fin is no good for the body. Besides, the act itself disrupts the balance of nature," he said.
Shark fin soup, considered a delicacy and a symbol of social status, is served at mostly exclusive restaurants throughout China. A widespread belief that shark fin is of great nutritional value has only helped with its fame.
Yu said that, contrary to popular belief, the substance is low in nutrition.
According to WildAid, a wild animal conservation organization, up to 70 million sharks are slain annually for their fins, which has put at least 17 percent of known species of shark and manta on the verge of extinction.
It said the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong have been among the biggest importers of shark fin for years. So far, no legislation has been introduced in China to ban the practise.
Some think legislation should start with banning the product's use in government banquets. Wan Jie and Ding Liguo, a national legislator, are proposing such a ban now.
The government's prohibiting the consumption of shark fin might promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle and encourage businesses to follow similar lines.
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