Dog meat off the menu for Beijing Olympics
11/7/2008 17:31
Gourmets with a special predilection for dog meat will be disappointed if
they come to the Chinese capital in the coming two months, according to a
Beijing Tourism Bureau official today.
Xiong Yumei, the bureau's vice
director, said if a customer ordered dog meat restaurant staff should
"patiently" suggest another entree.
"Conflicts should be avoided," she
stressed.
Earlier, the Beijing Catering Trade Association (BETA) issued a
circular that forbade all 112-designated restaurants to provide dog meat dishes
during the August Olympics. It added, as for other establishments, they were
strongly advised to suspend serving dog until September.
As for dog meat for
medicinal purposes, the circular said the ingredient should be listed clearly.
The meat is believed by many Chinese to be an effective element to lower high
blood pressure.
Any restaurant found violating the ban would be blacklisted
by the association, though the exact punishment was not
specified.
Xinhua
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