Wang Shirong, assistant of the principal of Chinese Northwest University of Politics and Law, addresses the 1st US-China Animal Law Forum in Houston, the United States, June 5, 2014. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)

A forum focusing on animal protection legislation and possible cooperation on the issue between China and the United States was held here Thursday.

The one-day event, jointly organized by the University of Houston-Downtown (UH-D), Northwest China University of Politics and Law, and the South Texas College of Law, was the first of its kind devoted to reviewing the existing laws for animal protection in both countries, and to identify areas the two can improve in future.

"Animal cruelty is not a problem unique to any country, it is, in fact, a global challenge," Dr. Peter Li from UH-D said, adding that the two countries should transcend boundaries on the issue.

Chris Green, a lawyer from San Francisco, pointed out that human efforts to adapt to changes in life has partly promoted animal protection, citing China's one-child policy as encouraging the consideration of animal welfare.

"Urbanization and increased mobility have both contributed to the importance of companion animals to their owners who need to cope with the loss of their traditional support system," he said. "The single-child generation in China is already seeking emotional support from companion animals and this phenomenon will surely encourage people to pay attention to the welfare of other animals."

Sun Jiang, a member of the drafting committee of China's scholarly proposal on animal protection law, also saw hope in China's progress in animal protection legislation.

He said that experiences in China and other countries, increasing activism of the animal protection community, and the Chinese government's own initiatives were factors that would contribute to positive policy change.

Participants agreed that the U.S. and China have great potential to cooperate in the field in the future.

The forum is part of the exchange programs between UH-D and the Northwest China University of Politics and Law.