AGAINST

Cao Jingxing

Media commentator

It lacks transparency in the process of approving foreigners to hunt in Qinghai. What rules will be followed? How will they allocate and where will they use the money paid by those hunters? We don't know.

Admittedly, hunting a small number of wild animals won't threaten the survival of the species. However, the whole process of hunting should be supervised, particularly in case anyone takes advantage. I think the local government should annually release the number of rare animals that can be hunted, and then see that hunting is open to public and media supervision.

Pan Fan

Civil Servant

I am strongly against foreigners hunting blue sheep and Tibetan gazelles in China that are under national protection. Although it is claimed that preliminary protective measures, requiring hunters to hunt male animals only, will be followed when hunting, I don't think it will be effective. Who will manage this process? Male animals are just as important as female ones for the reproduction of the species. Therefore, we can't take the risk just for making a profit.

Moreover, the so-called legitimately hunting wild animals is cruel and goes against the behavior and progression of a civilized society.

Some may ask if I am against hunting animals, how can I eat meat? I would say there are essential differences between slaughtering domestic animals for meat and hunting wild animals for fun. Only if domestic animals and some wild ones are killed for the survival of the human beings, is it ok.

Qian Tong

Media Commentator

I don't think the public will accept foreigners hunting protected animals in China purely because it will bring money to local government and benefit the local people. To some extent, a marketing mechanism can be introduced into the protection of wildlife, like building wildlife parks for public visits. It is a much better way to raise money for the protection of wildlife.

Also, will the immediate economic gain make up for the loss of damaging the ecological environment? I doubt it.

Qinghai is an ecologically vulnerable region. The death of wild animals in the region follows the law of nature. If humans intervene, the fragile ecological balance will be broken.