Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Roundtable.
You're listening to Roundtable.
I'm Yihong Lin, joined by Steve and Yunqi.
Coming up soon, free the fish, save your soul, right?
Not if it wrecks the ecosystem.
China's cracking down on chaotic animal release rituals.
We will talk about why and how.
Before that, What happens when good intentions lead to bad outcomes?
That is the dilemma facing China's traditional animal release practice.
Once rooted in spiritual mercy, it can be a threat to native species,
public safety, and even the animals themselves.
Late June, China unveils tough new rules.
Well, we can talk about what they mean and exactly what rules are we talking about.
Yeah,
these are new guidelines to strengthen the oversight related to animal release activities to curb illegal activities,
illegal practices that could really threaten biodiversity and public health.
So they called on local authorities under the three agencies.
Those would be the National Forestry and Grasslands Administration,
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the National Religious Affairs Administration.