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Is whale meat illegal in China?

Yes. Whale meat is banned in China. Its whales are state-protected: selling or eating them is banned.

Wildlife Protection Law (revised 30 Dec 2022, in force 1 May 2023) Art 28 bans selling, buying or using state key protected wildlife and products; Art 31 bans eating them; the 2021 national list puts minke, fin, humpback, blue and other large whales in Class I (IFAW).

Source: Wildlife Protection Law 2022

• China is one of 35 countries where whale meat is banned, and 7 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 1 of 14 (India).
• In Asia: banned in 4 of 46 countries.

Other countries that ban whale meat

AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaEstoniaFranceGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaAll 35 on the map ›

What else is banned in China