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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Chinese restaurant slammed for offering cuddles with LION cubs – and they're not the only wild animals diners can pet
A CHINESE restaurant has been slammed for offering lion cub cuddles alongside afternoon tea - and they are not the only wild animals diners can pet. Patrons at Wanhui Tower, based in Taiyuan city, offers a luxury tea service that includes a "mascot interaction" with lion cubs for a hefty price tag of £124. 7 A Chinese restaurant offers tea time and cuddles with lion cubs for £124 Credit: Xiaohongshu/Daling 7 The eatery has sparked fierce backlash from animal activists Credit: Xiaohongshu/Wanhui 7 The restaurant, named Wanhui Tower, is based in the northern Chinese city of Taiyuan Credit: Getty Patrons have been posting selfies cradling the cubs on Chinese social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, with some boasting they were also able to pet alpacas, deer, llamas and turtles – all while enjoying dessert. But the restaurant's bold move has triggered a flood of criticism and now a formal probe by the Shanxi Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau. Although Wanhui Tower was granted a licence to breed and display two African lions, authorities said that close human-animal contact is prohibited and that the matter is being handled "urgently" – a phrase in China that often signals looming legal trouble. But the restaurant, located in northern China's Shanxi province, is doubling down. The eatery claimed in a defiant statement: "We operate like zoos – why can't lions be used commercially?" Major animal rights groups have since pounced. Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of PETA, said: "Tearing lion cubs from their mothers so diners can handle them over afternoon tea is exploitation, not entertainment. "These animals are living, feeling beings, not toys." Most read in The US Sun He added the cubs were being "treated like nothing more than social media props." Peter Li, China policy expert for Humane World for Animals, warned the stunt was "not only appallingly bad animal welfare, it's also potentially risky for customers." China zoo slammed for painting donkeys black and white to look like zebras in ANOTHER 'fake animal' gaffe 'Even a young lion is capable of lashing out and injuring a human,' he said. 'So, treating wild animals like props is both morally unacceptable and dangerously irresponsible.' The controversy adds to a growing list of bizarre and troubling wildlife gimmicks at entertainment venues across China. Earlier this year, police in Thailand raided a 'lion café' in Phuket, arresting two Chinese nationals for illegally running a similar pet-a-cub scheme. Guests there could snap photos with lion cubs for £12–£23. Closer to home, a hotel near Chongqing drew fire after offering a 'red panda wake-up call,' where guests could have the wild animals brought into their rooms and allowed to crawl into bed with them. China's zoos, too, are under the microscope. 7 Another Chinese zoo was slammed by visitors after dyeing dogs to look like pandas Credit: Social media 7 Another zoo admitted to painting donkeys to look like zebras Credit: AsiaWire In March, a 'very big cat' incident sparked fury after footage of a shockingly obese black panther at Chengdu Zoo went viral. The panther, aged 16, could barely walk, and social media lit up with criticism over her bloated condition. One commenter quipped: 'I thought she was pregnant, but it turned out that she was overweight. Please ask her to exercise more.' Another zoo in Zibo, Shandong province, was caught painting donkeys with black and white stripes to pass them off as zebras – a stunt staff described as a 'marketing strategy.' Read more on the Irish Sun Earlier this year, staff at Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province dyed chow chows to look like tiger cubs in a brazen attempt to fool visitors. The same zoo previously painted puppies to look like pandas. 7 Chengdu Zoo, also in China, was slammed after videos surfaced showing an obese panther 7 Footage shows dogs painted as tigers in the Taizhou Zoo Credit: AsiaWire
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Chinese restaurant slammed for offering cuddles with LION cubs – and they're not the only wild animals diners can pet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CHINESE restaurant has been slammed for offering lion cub cuddles alongside afternoon tea - and they are not the only wild animals diners can pet. Patrons at Wanhui Tower, based in Taiyuan city, offers a luxury tea service that includes a "mascot interaction" with lion cubs for a hefty price tag of £124. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A Chinese restaurant offers tea time and cuddles with lion cubs for £124 Credit: Xiaohongshu/Daling 7 The eatery has sparked fierce backlash from animal activists Credit: Xiaohongshu/Wanhui 7 The restaurant, named Wanhui Tower, is based in the northern Chinese city of Taiyuan Credit: Getty Patrons have been posting selfies cradling the cubs on Chinese social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, with some boasting they were also able to pet alpacas, deer, llamas and turtles – all while enjoying dessert. But the restaurant's bold move has triggered a flood of criticism and now a formal probe by the Shanxi Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau. Although Wanhui Tower was granted a licence to breed and display two African lions, authorities said that close human-animal contact is prohibited and that the matter is being handled "urgently" – a phrase in China that often signals looming legal trouble. But the restaurant, located in northern China's Shanxi province, is doubling down. The eatery claimed in a defiant statement: "We operate like zoos – why can't lions be used commercially?" Major animal rights groups have since pounced. Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of PETA, said: "Tearing lion cubs from their mothers so diners can handle them over afternoon tea is exploitation, not entertainment. "These animals are living, feeling beings, not toys." He added the cubs were being "treated like nothing more than social media props." Peter Li, China policy expert for Humane World for Animals, warned the stunt was "not only appallingly bad animal welfare, it's also potentially risky for customers." China zoo slammed for painting donkeys black and white to look like zebras in ANOTHER 'fake animal' gaffe 'Even a young lion is capable of lashing out and injuring a human,' he said. 'So, treating wild animals like props is both morally unacceptable and dangerously irresponsible.' The controversy adds to a growing list of bizarre and troubling wildlife gimmicks at entertainment venues across China. Earlier this year, police in Thailand raided a 'lion café' in Phuket, arresting two Chinese nationals for illegally running a similar pet-a-cub scheme. Guests there could snap photos with lion cubs for £12–£23. Closer to home, a hotel near Chongqing drew fire after offering a 'red panda wake-up call,' where guests could have the wild animals brought into their rooms and allowed to crawl into bed with them. China's zoos, too, are under the microscope. 7 Another Chinese zoo was slammed by visitors after dyeing dogs to look like pandas Credit: Social media 7 Another zoo admitted to painting donkeys to look like zebras Credit: AsiaWire In March, a 'very big cat' incident sparked fury after footage of a shockingly obese black panther at Chengdu Zoo went viral. The panther, aged 16, could barely walk, and social media lit up with criticism over her bloated condition. One commenter quipped: 'I thought she was pregnant, but it turned out that she was overweight. Please ask her to exercise more.' Another zoo in Zibo, Shandong province, was caught painting donkeys with black and white stripes to pass them off as zebras – a stunt staff described as a 'marketing strategy.' Earlier this year, staff at Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province dyed chow chows to look like tiger cubs in a brazen attempt to fool visitors. The same zoo previously painted puppies to look like pandas. 7 Chengdu Zoo, also in China, was slammed after videos surfaced showing an obese panther
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Thai cuisine is thriving in China
Tom yum koong is popular in China, though some Thai restaurants have had to adjust the traditional recipe to suit local tastebuds. — Photos: Pixabay From bustling street stalls to upscale shopping malls, the Thai culinary scene in China is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once confined to metropolises, Thai restaurants are thriving in smaller cities, evolving from niche eateries to viral hotspots with long queues. This ascent positions Thai food as the leading South-East Asian cuisine in China and a cultural gateway for local youth seeking global flavours. In Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, families like the Lius frequent refined Thai restaurants in premium venues. With elegant Thai-themed decor, one of their favourite Thai restaurants offers sophisticated dining – a far cry from early stereotypes of cluttered street fare. The restaurant's seven-year tenancy within a popular mall, with high competition for space, underscores Thai cuisine's sustained appeal in China. Over 50% of China's approximately 15,000 South-East Asian restaurants serve Thai cuisine. Meanwhile, another restaurant called Blooming near the city's Jinyang Lake Park combines photogenic settings with tailored flavours. This restaurant isn't large in size, with about 20 indoor tables and over 10 outdoor seats, all decorated with various plants and flowers. Hu Yani, the restaurant manager, said that weekday evenings see a 90% occupancy rate, and weekends often have queues waiting for seats. Hu said that since its opening over three years ago, the establishment has continuously refined its menu based on customers' tastes and preferences. 'Compared to traditional Thai cuisine or dishes from Thailand itself, we've slightly adjusted the proportions of spices used and toned down the sourness and spiciness,' she added. According to Hu, the restaurant employs chefs with over a decade of Thai culinary experience from Guangzhou and Shanghai, consistently introducing new dishes and creative menu items to maintain customers' interest through fresh offerings. Classics like aromatic Massaman curry, tangy tom yum koong, and lemongrass-infused grilled chicken share menus with East-meets-West fusions. A 2023 survey indicates 70% of Chinese consumers still favour authenticity, while 30% embrace hybrid versions. Market data highlights Thai food's dominance: Over 50% of China's approximately 15,000 South-East Asian restaurants serve Thai cuisine, vastly outpacing Vietnamese or Singaporean rivals. Popular Thai restaurant chains are expanding into China's heartland, aided by digital marketing and food delivery platforms. Searches for 'tom yum' have garnered 130 million views on Xiaohongshu, the Chinese lifestyle online platform known overseas as Rednote, while Douyin's 'Thai cuisine' hashtag has hit three billion plays. Beyond commerce and food, these spaces showcase Thai culture through decor and performances. Industry insiders suggest that incorporating distinctive Thai elements and cultural spirit not only develops competitive edges but also creates memorable impressions for customers. Certain restaurants have further enriched patrons' immersive experiences through traditional Thai dance performances and customary practices. The Thai government further fuels growth via initiatives like Thai Select certification and the 'one village, one Thai chef' programme, training global-ready talent. – Xinhua
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- AsiaOne
Man arrested for slashing ex-girlfriend's neck with knife at Malaysian university, Malaysia News
A 21-year-old man was arrested in Malaysia for slashing his ex-girlfriend on the neck with a knife at the Taylor's University campus in Selangor on Monday (July 14). Videos posted to Reddit and Xiaohongshu show a woman lying on the floor and moaning in pain while her friends applied pressure to her neck and called for help. Other students were seen restraining the perpetrator, who was still holding on to the knife. Both are students at the same university, reported Bernama. Subang Jaya district police chief Wan Azlan Wan Mamat said on Monday that the 20-year-old student was wounded on the left side of her neck, reported the New Straits Times. The perpetrator was arrested not long after the incident occurred. Both parties are Chinese nationals, according to local Chinese-language publication China Press. A Taylor's University student told the South China Morning Post that the suspect and victim are currently on bad terms, and the man had allegedly threatened to hurt his ex-girlfriend's pet cat if she ended the relationship. "He sprayed the cat with bug spray. I think it really died. There's a video of the incident being shared among students," the student claimed. The report also stated that the victim was purportedly being detained against her will before the attack. On Tuesday, Wan Azlan said the suspect was unhappy with the victim, who had claimed he had stopped her from leaving the house, reported The Star. The man will be remanded for four days to assist in investigations. The victim is hospitalised in the intensive care unit and is in stable condition, reported NST. Investigations are still ongoing. [[nid:720193]]
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK-based actress Angie Cheong tearfully reflects on hardship of being a single mum
HONG KONG: When Malaysian actress Angie Cheong, based in Hong Kong, adopted her son Hanson in 2006, he was just two years old and she was fully aware he suffered from congenital heart disease. That, however, didn't deter her from standing by him through every challenge. She even put her acting career on hold in 2018 to care for Hanson as he underwent heart surgery. In a recent video shared on Xiaohongshu, Cheong opened up about the struggles of being a single mother, admitting it's an incredibly demanding responsibility. "They say single mums are strong, but no one realises that behind that strength is really just putting on a brave face," the 54-year-old explained. The actress, who was crowned Miss Chinese Malaysia in 1992, then broke down in tears as she reflected on the past 19 years of hardship. She confessed that, given the choice, she wouldn't want to bear the burden alone. "I have to earn money, help with homework, be a driver, a nanny, and a nurse," she said. "If given a choice, who would want to shoulder everything alone? I'm afraid of not providing enough for my child and often feel guilty for not spending enough time with him," she added. Cheong shared that she had once taught her son that true courage lies in admitting one's vulnerability. "It hasn't been easy for Mum to raise you," she said as she embraced him.
