08.13
But last week, Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 Shanghai-born N.B.A. star, went slightly out on a limb. He declared at a Beijing press conference held by WildAid, the conservation group, that he had had it with shark fin soup, pledging never to eat it again. (free registration is required)
Two things are insteresting about this article to me. First, in my many years of living in China I have never known anyone to have eaten or wanting to eat Shark Fin soup. Second, and more importantly, I think that Yao’s “coming out” against Shark Fin soup is important for Chinese culture by showing that a major star can make a somewhat political (albeit safe) stand that demonstrates intelligence. Moreover it shows that a star can be independent and have his own ideas of what makes a better world rather then just following the public relations masters. Perhaps then this small step in celebrity activism will spur others in China to take up even more important stands on subjects important to them but not necessarily the “powers that be.” This to me would be an important step in the Chinese development that I read about everyday but rarely see in reality. The big test will be what the average Chinese citizen makes of Yao’s stance (if they get a chance to know it)? Will they consider it a true personal decision or simply a result of the “Americanization” many consider him to have adopted since coming over to the NBA?
While you were spending your time worring about Yao Ming eating shark’s fin soup, a major discussion by the “average Chinese citizen” regarding the cruelty and hunting of animals was taking place on the internet.
“The Forestry Ministry has been forced to suspend its proposed auction
of “hunting rights” for some of the country’s most protected and
endangered animals. This is probably the hottest domestic debate now; ever since the news came out two days ago, criticism against the ministry has never stopped.”
http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2006/08/internet_opinion_shapes_alternative_political_correctne.php
Would this qualify as “an important step in Chinese development” which you “read about everyday but rarely see in reality”?
On a less accusative note: A stand against shark fin soup is not much of a stand (well, any stand by Yao is a BIG stand) as it is incredibly nasty….The japanese love it and charge BIG bucks for it….
BTW: It was my one and only time and i did not inhale…
Sorry Brad…CDT is blocked from my locale and so are most of the proxies these days…I really miss those guys though and do not mean to belittle your argument…It is cause for a sep’ post and damned important…
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know I linked to your blog in my column on CBSNews.com today. Thanks!
If you want to take a look, here’s the link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/15/blogophile/main1895755.shtml
Thanks,
Melissa
Bruh, have you ever been to a Chinese tourist area in China? All they sell are shark fins, dried tentacles, and tea, at least in the south-east this is how it is. The shark’s fin is definitely a hot item here. Even in one of my podcast I make fun of a guy who’s company sells them…I think that is the Fuzhou Night’s episode [//Vid here//. Anywho, just sounding in.
-Peace
Ron
Ha! “Brother” loves shark’s fin soup. So what. Brian Darvell, who led the campaign against shark’s fin soup at Disney Land is also opposed to rat poisoning because he believes it is a “cruel” form of death for rats.
Brian Darvel’s criticism of McGrady smacks of the supercilious, racist attitude many in the animal rights movement have for their questionable cause.
McGrady, have another bowl of soup.
September 10 2006
T-Mac’s bowl of shark’s fin soup raises hackles
South China Morning Post
Donald Asprey
US basketball player Tracy McGrady has drawn fire from local wildlife campaigners and animal rights activists for devouring a bowl of shark’s fin soup during his recent visit to Hong Kong.
The 27-year-old NBA star, otherwise known as T-Mac, said he was impressed by the broth he was served during an adidas retailer dinner at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant at the end of last month.
McGrady, who stars beside Yao Ming for the Houston Rockets, was in Hong Kong on the last leg of his Asian tour to mingle with local fans and promote the limited edition adidas T-Mac 1 trainer.
‘It is fantastic to be in Hong Kong again,’ said the two-time NBA scoring champion. ‘This is the first time I’ve had shark’s fin soup in my life.’
The controversial delicacy has been widely blamed for putting some shark species at risk of extinction and for animal cruelty.
Many sharks are targeted solely for their fins and are thrown back into the sea to bleed to death after their fins have been hacked off, in a widespread practice known as ‘finning’.
Veteran anti-shark’s fin campaigner Brian Darvell, who led the campaign to strike the soup off the menu at Hong Kong Disneyland last year, said it set a bad example for millions of fans around the world.
‘It is a matter of education. It is just sad that despite the amount of publicity, a lot of presumably intelligent people haven’t noticed or have chosen not to notice, and continue to contribute to destruction on a grand scale,’ Professor Darvell said.
‘He bears responsibility. He is a role model and, whether he likes it or not, when people see him doing something it carries meaning.’
In 2002 Professor Darvell sparked a row with the Hong Kong Tourism Board over its promotion of the delicacy that forced it to remove references to the dish from the Discover Hong Kong website. He has also urged hotels to remove the dish, but with limited success.
He said the incident showed more should be done to educate tourists, but added: ‘Just try telling that to HKTB.’
Ironically, last month teammate Yao Ming pledged to give up the Cantonese delicacy and urged his countrymen to do the same at a press conference organised by the conservation group WildAid.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia-Pacific director Jason Baker said he had sent a letter to McGrady urging him to recant his actions in public.
‘Unfortunately it comes right on the heels of Yao Ming making such a bold statement,’ he said. ‘Hopefully the two of them can have a chat so he can understand the situation.’
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation estimates that 100 million sharks are harvested for their fins every year, though the figure could be as high 200 million.
Between 50 per cent and 85 per cent ends up in Hong Kong, where it is either consumed or re-exported to the mainland. About 11,700 tonnes of dried shark’s fin were imported in 2003, according to TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring group.
More than 210 species of shark are listed on the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife, though only three, the whale shark, basking shark and great white, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, due to lack of evidence dwindling shark populations are caused by trade.
No other explanation has been offered for the plunge in the number of sharks.
bbb