#China: aquariums in Shanghai & Shenzen opt for robotic #whale sharks to cut costs, leaving visitors feeling deceived.

Whale Sharks - a big tourist draw - can live over 100 years but only 5 years in captivity.

https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/environment/article/3286578/china-aquariums-opt-robotic-whales-cut-costs-leaving-visitors-feel-deceived

China aquariums opt for robotic whales to cut costs, leaving visitors feeling deceived

An aquarium in southern China has come under scrutiny for showcasing a robotic whale shark instead of a live one, igniting passionate debates around animal welfare and consumer rights.

^{Fran Lu (South China Morning Post)}

As in most countries? Because most countries are generally pretty small.

I'm talking about countries the size of the #USA, #Canada, #Russia, #China, etc.

It works really well on a small scale, which is why you see it in smaller countries like those in #Europe. A reasonable case could probably be made to try universal healthcare at a state level since the scale is probably pretty similar for most American states.

SHUT DOWN WILDLIFE MARKETS NOW!

With their brisk #trade in #endangered and #poached animals, #WildlifeMarkets in many countries are driving the #extinction of #species. The markets are also breeding grounds for #diseases that can also be deadly to humans. There is no excuse for the existence of these markets – it’s time to shut them down NOW.

The outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, #China, cast a harsh light on wildlife markets.

1/4

#ShutDownWildlifeMarkets 🦍🦦🦇

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/30/make-coronavirus-ban-on-chinese-wildlife-markets-permanent-says-environment-expert-aoe

Make ban on Chinese wildlife markets permanent, says environment expert

Temporary ban to curb coronavirus is not enough, says environmental leader Jinfeng Zhou

^{Phoebe Weston (The Guardian)}

This new #palmoil tool does not include a single brand from #India #China #Indonesia or #Malaysia, the four largest consumption markets for palm oil, accounting for the majority of demand, and, likely, an even greater percentage of deforestation due to lax due diligence requirements.

We're not going to solve supply chain deforestation by only focusing on global north demand.

https://palmwatch.inclusivedevelopment.net/

PalmWatch: Tracking the Impact of Big Brands' Palm Oil Use

Discover how major brands' palm oil use drives deforestation and environmental change with PalmWatch, an open-access tool powered by data science and open-source intelligence.

^{palmwatch.inclusivedevelopment.net}

This was probably the most difficult article I've ever done - supported by a #PulitzerCenter grant, and took 5-6 months and a lot of data research and fact-checking. Collaborated with a local journalist, Tonggo Simangunsong, from Medan.

It links #humanrights abuses in both #Indonesia and #China, including #Uyghur #ForcedLabor to Sumatran deforestation, and global garment supply chains.

https://web.archive.org/web/20230414003530/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/4/14/how-chinas-xinjiang-fuels-indonesias-deforestation-scourge

How China’s Xinjiang fuels Indonesia’s deforestation scourge

Chinese demand for Indonesian wood pulp is propping up industry ostracised elsewhere over sustainability concerns.

^{Nithin Coca (Al Jazeera)}

Yes it is.

And it’s filled with Russian and Chinese spies because of Swiss neutrality.

#switzerland #china #russia

Xi calls for a #Palestinian state to become 'full member' of UN- #China

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230614-xi-calls-for-a-palestinian-state-to-become-full-member-of-un

Xi calls for a Palestinian state to become 'full member' of UN

Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday his call for a state of Palestine to become a "full member" of the United Nations, state media reported.

^{France 24}

Content warning: zoom event on China and Canada: Nov 16, 8-9pm ET Click to open/close

Helping a colleague to promote a worthy event at the UofT. I really like the fact that it is multidisciplinary, not just political science but also journalism and history.

"This panel brings together diverse voices to discuss how Chinese in Canada have historically been treated, and what lessons there are for people-to-people exchange today."

https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/china-town-hall-hand-pulse-changing-canadian-public-opinion-china

Help to boost appreciated.

#China #canada #diaspora #politicalscience

CHINA Town Hall - Hand on the Pulse: Changing Canadian Public Opinion on China

^{munkschool.utoronto.ca}