Opinion | The quiet revolution in animal rights in China
With national laws the ultimate goal, progress is being made, one local regulation and court case at a time
Public awareness of animal welfare on the Chinese mainland is at an all-time high. The country now has the world’s second-largest pet population, estimated at 430 million in 2024 and growing strongly. The cultural shift was on full display last year when the justice ministry solicited public feedback on its legislative plans. In a massive show of support, an online survey pushing for anti-cruelty legislation attracted over 4.2 million votes, with 96 per cent voting in favour.
Traditional norms sustain an anthropocentric lens, viewing animals as purely instrumental – resources or property meant to serve human interests. Meanwhile, the economic cost of strict animal welfare mandates is seen as prohibitive, threatening vast industries ranging from livestock and fur to traditional medicine.
As frustrations over this legislative impasse mount, it is clear a “silver bullet” from Beijing is not currently plausible. Instead, one needs to look away from the top echelon and towards subnational regulators and local courtrooms, where a quiet, pragmatic revolution is emerging.