China makes historic move to ban shark fin soup

By on Jul 03, 2012

Small moves can have strong, lingering results and today China has made a significant move to support the ban of shark finning on a global front. According to reports today, the Chinese Government Offices Administration of the State Council has reportedly agreed to stop serving shark fin soup at official banquets, to take effect in the next 1-3 years. Fueled by a proposal from 30 officials from the National People’s Congress, delegate Ding Liguo made the announcement about the news today to his microsite.

We’ve written extensively on the subject here at Reef Builders and it is good to see movement within the Chinese community. NBA superstar Yao Ming committed to the cause as ambassador for WildAid event making the vow never to eat shark fin soup in a PSA that has been viewed by hundreds of million of people in his native China.

While this may not lead to an immediate impact, the fact that the Chinese government is willing to change course is huge and may begin the forward momentum needed.

[via WildAid]

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  • Craig Borowski

    ?????????

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1242514954 Alexander Östling

    if we only could grow sharkfins on the back of mice… oh that would be the day

  • http://www.AdvancedAquarist.com Leonard Ho

    I was actually considering writing a blog post about this news but from a completely different perspective. Like many past actions, the Chinese government is pretending to care with a symbolic gesture while avoiding the real issue entirely. This is painting lipstick on a pig.

    FYI: Shark fin consumption is on the rise in China despite Yao Ming’s efforts. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to change millennial long traditional values. But on the “glass is half full” side, I guess if anyone can change their citizens’ minds through propaganda (only if enforced by rule of brutal law), it’s China.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=23914895 Brandon Hooten

    This is exactly what was running through my mind as I read this article. 1-3 years? Sounds like an appeasement to me…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Spencer-Shepard/513574554 Spencer Shepard

    A small step in the right direction…

  • Spencer Matonis

    Another win for communism :D

  • 10xor01

    Translation: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

    But why not enact this immediately? Or better yet, just ban shark fin soup all together. If the government can enact a one child policy, surely it could do more on this front.

  • XD_1

    +1

    The title of this post doesn’t really match the content. It says there’s going to be some sort of a ban when the article says they’re just taking it off the menu at state dinners….at some point years in the future.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Polzin/1432340323 David Polzin

    Way not to commit. !-3 years and only at official banquets?

  • Bobby Thom

    Watch “Gordon Ramsay eats Shark Fin Soup” on youtube
    its unreal how they operate

  • http://www.facebook.com/wayne.cavanagh.58 Wayne Cavanagh

    Or shark fins on the backs of the Chinese people that actually eat them

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1242514954 Alexander Östling

    Hmm i dunno, should we grow eggs and bacon to while we are at it?