Legal Regulation Concerning Animals in China

China does not have laws prohibiting acts of human cruelty towards animals, one of the few countries in the world today that does not have such laws. This chapter discusses the key areas of laws relating to the treatment of animals in contemporary China. The basic legal regime consists of various laws and other stipulations associated with different types of animals including wildlife, animals used for research, and, to a much lesser extent, farm animals, companion animals and other working animals. The chapter first briefly outlines the historical and cultural aspects regarding animals in Chinese culture and then discusses the major laws including laws on wildlife protection and animals used in agriculture. It also considers some of the obstacles and challenges ahead for the legal protection of animals against abuse in China.