The Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival has been held annually since 2009 in Yulin, southern China. During the 10-day festival, from 21/6 to 30/6, over 10,000 dogs are slaughtered. Vendors also sell cat meat, fresh lychees, and liquor.
The festival was initially held to mark the summer solstice. Eating dog meat is a tradition in some parts of China, believed to bring good luck and health. Some also believe it prevents illness and enhances male virility.
According to animal rights activists, dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered with clubs in public areas, with inadequate hygiene standards. Reports indicate dogs are transported from across China to Yulin in cramped conditions, some wearing collars, suggesting they are stolen pets.
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A dog meat stall in China. Photo: Reuters |
A dog meat stall in China. Photo: Reuters
According to the Independent, an estimated 10 to 20 million dogs are killed for consumption in China each year. While the Yulin festival is relatively recent, the custom of eating dog meat dates back at least 400 years. For years, the Yulin festival has been the focus of international criticism. Yulin officials have repeatedly stated they cannot stop the festival because it's not an official event.
However, a 2017 survey revealed that nearly 75% of Yulin residents don't regularly eat dog meat, despite vendors' promotional efforts. A 2016 national survey found that 64% of Chinese citizens want the Yulin festival to end, and 69.5% have never eaten dog meat.
Dr. Peter Li, a China policy specialist, described the Yulin festival as a "bloody spectacle" that doesn't reflect the character and dietary habits of most Chinese people. In 2020, Han Changfu, former Minister of Agriculture of China, also opposed dog meat consumption, but no ban has been implemented.
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Inside the Yulin dog meat festival. Photo: Reuters |
Inside the Yulin dog meat festival. Photo: Reuters
By 2024, according to the Global Anti-Dog Meat Alliance, Yulin had seen some positive changes. Cultural events were added before 21/6 to divert attention from the festival. During the festival, new dog meat stalls decreased significantly, and some established stalls disappeared.
However, the Yulin dog meat festival persists, and animal rights organizations continue their protests. The International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA), founded in Switzerland in 1981, sent a letter to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ministry of Ecology and Environment; and National Health Commission in May to voice their opposition.
Citing the global Covid-19 experience as an unfortunate example of the dangers to humanity, they hope China will change this tradition and adopt a more compassionate, animal-friendly approach.
Hoai Anh (Independent, In Defense of Animals, Oipa)
