Reflect on the Past or on the Present? The root cause of the difficulties in advancing animal protection in China. Review of Peter J. Li’s latest work: Animal Welfare in China, Culture, Politics and Crisis, Sydney University Press 2021

Abstract

Animal Welfare in China, Culture, Politics and Crisis, Sydney University Press 2021, mainly introduces the problems and prospects of animal welfare in contemporary China; it is perhaps the first book worldwide on this topic. Animal cruelty in contemporary China is a reality and it is rewarding to explore its root cause. There has been a misconception for a long time that the origin of animal cruelty in China is traditional Chinese culture, which has a core of cruelty. The author, Peter J. Li, responds to this stereotype by deeply analysing ancient Chinese political thoughts. Ancient Chinese culture and values were rich in benevolence and care for animals. Thus, contemporary animal cruelty in China is irrelevant to ancient Chinese culture and it is unreasonable to deny this Asian wisdom. The main reason for contemporary animal cruelty in China is the intensive animal husbandry practices. Since the economic reform in 1978, China has adopted its goal as a developmental state by creating policies including introducing massive technologies from the western world and encouraging and developing intensive husbandry industries. This modern economic development model focuses on economic profits but not social justice, which is why hundreds of billions of animals suffer greatly in China. The emerging progress of China’s animal advocacy is creating a positive prospect for animal cruelty.