Is “Animal Welfare” a Foreign Notion to China?

ABSTRACT While Chinese culture has long emphasized “ Tian ren he yi ” (the oneness of nature and humanity), promoting animal welfare in China remains a challenge. This article suggests that the widespread view of “animal welfare” as an inherently foreign concept plays a significant role in this difficulty, as it implies that Western notions of animal welfare are irrelevant to Chinese society and thus may not warrant serious consideration. We argue that although the term “animal welfare” originated in the West, its underlying principle—compassion for animals—is closely aligned with traditional Chinese philosophy. Concern for animal welfare has deep roots in Chinese culture, as reflected in the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, as well as in historical practices. Unfortunately, this cultural tradition has been overshadowed by a modernization drive that has adopted a dismissive attitude toward tradition and an imperialistic attitude toward nature, often equating modernization with Westernization. To truly advance animal welfare in China, it is essential to revive traditional Chinese values, particularly the notion of harmony between humans and nature, which could serve as a solid theoretical foundation for the animal welfare movement.