http://www.cctv.com/program/newshour/20090628/102405.shtml

Animal rights on the agenda in China

2009-06-28 12:25 BJT

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China has come out with a draft of the country's first law on animal
protection. For the first time in Chinese legislation, criminal punishment
for animal cruelty is being proposed.

The proposed draft clearly delineates how animals should be raised,
transported, and slaughtered in a humane way.

It also calls for penalties and criminal punishment for animal abuse and
cruelty.

The draft law covers wildlife, farm and companion animals.

Legal experts worked on the draft for seven months. Dr. Chang Jiwen, of the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, led the team.

Dr. chang Jiwen, director of Social Law Research DEpartment of CASS, said,
"Our motivations for drafting this law is to protect animals, while at the
same time protecting the sensibilities and interests of human beings. We
should treat animals humanely. But that doesn't mean we cannot make use of
them."

Currently in China, only animals on the endangered species list are
protected. And no existing law addresses animal welfare systematically.

A comprehensive animal protection law is considered imperative as cases of
animal abuse are on the rise.

Last month at least 30 thousand dogs were culled in Hanzhong, Shaanxi
province, following a rabies outbreak which caused 12 death.

The cull has triggered ire and harsh criticism from the general public.

An expert from the International Fund for Animal Welfare welcomes the move
for legislation

Hus Ning, Program manager of IFAW China, said, "There will still be a period
of time before this proposal enters a formal legislation process and is
eventually adopted. No matter how long the process is, or whether this
proposal will be accepted at all, the move itself will have active impact on
animal protection in China."

The draft law has also drawn widespread public attention.

A recent survey carried out by Internet portal sina-dot-com shows 89 percent
of more than 63 thousand people surveyed support the legislation. They
believe it will help raise awareness of protecting animals.

A Beijing resident said, "You can choose to raise or not to raise a pet. But
you should not abuse them. Animals are friends of human beings."

"It's a question of being civilized. People, whether in developed or
developing countries, should be

civilized enough to treat animals humanely."

The draft law will be posted on the Internet to solicit public opinion in
August and submitted to the National People's Congress by the end of the
year.

The draft must go through the State Council and receive three readings at
the NPC Standing Committee before being adopted as law.

If adopted, the concept of animal welfare will become part of the law in
China.

Some say a country's level of civilization can be judged by how it treats
animals. Fair and humane treatment of animals not only shows respect for
life, it is also in line with the interests of human beings. As awareness of
animal rights rises in China, the country's goal of building a harmonious
society will also get a boost.

Especially note what the reporter says right at the end - that animal rights
will also influence human rights and boost the level of a "harmonious
society" in China. I think that Phillip and Frank would be encouraged by
this also.