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'Bear' faced cheek
As
anybody who ever has done business in China will tell you, there are
two golden rules that should be followed at all times if you want your
dealings to bear fruit:
1) NEVER put a Chinese in a situation where they will loose face
2) NEVER question or insult any element of Chinese tradition
Unfortunately, nobody seems to have told this to the EU.
Unfortunate Remarks
Condemning
the practice as being "cruel and uncivilized", the EU, last month,
issued a blanket statement to Beijing. Demanding that China put an end
to the practice of farming bears for their bile before the 2008 opening
of the Olympic games, and linking China's treatment of animals to its
image in the international community.
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"We want China to shut all the bear farms before the 2008 Olympics,"
Peter Skinner, Member of the European Parliament (Britain) |
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Predictably, China's response to this demand was, metaphorically at least, to politely request that
EU member states insert their collective heads into the backside of a
large bear. Then take five minutes out to reflect on why 'insulting a
country's traditions', and 'threatening its face', are not good
negotiating tactics.
This is to say, that the answer was a resounding NO.
The Rebutal
Speaking
during a press briefing on animal welfare, made on 12 January, Wang
Wei; the Deputy Chief of the State Forestry Administration's
'Department for Wildlife Conservation', strongly denied claims by the
EU, that China's bear farms were "cruel and uncivilized". Stating
firmly that farms were well regulated and that bears did not suffer.
Moving
to dismiss any fears over the bear farming industry, and to confirm
Beijing's continued commitment to it, Wang stressed that modern
technology was now being using in China's bear farms, and that strict
regulations meant that China had largely eradicated the cruel bear
farming tools of the past.
Wang also took time out to stress the
role that bear farms played in conservation: stating that each farmed
bear saved the life of up to 220 wild bears, who would otherwise be
poached for their gallbladders, and to denounce western environmental
groups. Who he accused of using 'misleading' file-photographs -
pictures that were many years out of date – which were representative
of the way that Chinese bear farming was many years ago, but not of the
way that it is today, in an effort to raise funds for themselves, and
to smear the Chinese bear farming industry.
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“We
have noticed that some organizations or individuals still use the past
videos and photos or some illegal cases to cover or exaggerate the
current status. This is actually distorting the facts and shows the
intension of misleading donors for resource mobilization”
Wang Wei |
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As is customary for Chinese officials
when making such accusations, Wang did not name any specific group as
being involved in misleading fundraising practices, or provide any
information that could be used to independently verify his claims.
White Makes Right?
Aside from ruffling feathers in Beijing, the EU's ultimatum to China has also not gone down to well among some observer's camps.
With a number of China watchers accusing the EU of 'gross hypocrisy'
and of possessing a 'typical white superiority complex'. Suggesting
instead that the European Union might be well served if it directed its
attention towards the so-called 'traditions' of its own member states,
before it begins criticizing China of animal cruelty.
As such,
observers directed attention towards EU members France and Spain.
Noting that, while Spain continues to maintain numerous cruel practices
towards bulls; including bull fighting and bull running, France
recently signed into law a directive protecting Pate Foie Gras as a
'national institution'.
Pate Foie Gras is produced by force
feeding birds with up to almost 1KG of food per day, resulting in organ
damage, and causing the animal significant distress.
The
production of Pate Foie Gras is currently banned in many countries, but
France still persists in producing in the region of 14000 tons per year.
The 'Bear' Facts
Each
year, China's bear farms are believed to produce approximately 7000kg
of bile, half of which is used in modern and traditional medicine;
where it can be used to treat ailments of the liver and gallbladder,
and half of which is used in cosmetics and other luxury products; where
it serves no useful purpose whatsoever.
Most of these luxury
bile products are considered to be a 'cash crop' and are often sold to
tourists, despite export restrictions. Bringing in a health profit for
Chinese bear farmers and bile product sellers.
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"It is an added disgrace that an oversupply of bile is being used in products with no medicinal value”
Peter Skinner |
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At current market prices, bear bile can sell for $US4,500 per kilo.
According
to EU statistics, China currently is currently 'framing' approximately
7000 bears in aournd 200 active farms, though some outside estimates
put the figure closer to 70 farms.
Tradition or Tragedy?
While
bear farming is a tragedy in itself, what makes this situation all the
more tragic is that bear bile is medically unnecessary.
Although
bear bile is known to have some curative properties, its active
ingredient, ursodeoxycholic acid (C24H40O4), was identified by Japanese
scientists approximately 50 years ago, and is it now available in a
synthesised form that is both, as effective as the bear based product,
and readily available on the open market.
Current estimates put
the current consumption of synthetic bear bile at 100 tons each year,
with Japan, South Korea and China being the primary consumers.
According
to Chinese herbalists, there are also at least 50 herbal alternatives
to bear bile. Most of which are not only more humane, but also more
affordable and easier to prepare and administer, than bear bile.
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"Research
shows there are many combinations of herbs available that can be
administered for ailments currently treated with bear bile. And they
are easier and cheaper to use"
Dr. Lo Yan-wo, Herbalist and Traditional Chinese healer |
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However, despite the availability of a
synthetic product, and numerous traditional alternatives to bear bile,
many Chinese still prefer the 'natural' version. A situation that many
observers have put down to a combination of Chinese superstition and
pride. With many Chinese still holding on to the belief that the body
parts of a strong animals are endowed with the animal's strength; thus
will make potent medicines, and the idea that consuming expensive
products, such as bear bile, is a legitimate symbol of status and power.
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"It's a mystique thing -- superstitious thinking. They believe a powerful animal should produce a powerful medicine."
Anthony Marr, Environmentalist |
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Image Problems
Though
Chinese traditions have undoubtedly played a part in the continuance of
bear farming, environmentalists have also voiced that Beijing's
attitude to bear farms has been a great hindrance. Stating that,
because bear farming is regulated by the state, many in China view it
in the same light as the farming of any other livestock, and because
protests against bear farms are 'discouraged' in the same way as
protests for democracy, that there is little or no social pressure on
bear farmers, or bile users, to stop.
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"People believe because it's farmed, it's okay."
Judy Mills, Wildlife Trade monitoring program, World Wildlife Foundation |
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A full English language transcript of Wang's speech can be found at http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/xw/t231011.htm
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To date 3 Comment(s)
TrackBack-URL
Jennifer
(7.2.06 05:18)
please stop!! youre hurting them
imagine if you farmers were in those old rusty cages and us taking away your biles...
please stop the animal cruitly
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Claude
(25.3.06 09:28)
That's really disgusting. The Chinese need to take a really good look at themselves, and their revolting lack of respect to human and animal rights. I am not saying that Americans are any better. The American people by idly standing by while their government invades and humilates a country that never did it any harm are just as pitiful as those impotent old Chinese men that need to torture a great beast to try and rejuvenate their flagging manhood.
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