(Snapshot of the circus festival's official website)

The China International Circus Festival once again faces protests from animal protection activists, calling for an end to the circus's animal performances.

According to the Beijing-based NGO Freedom for Animal Actors (FAA), this year’s circus festival has blatantly featured many performances by animals including elephants, lions, sea lions and giraffes. The festival especially promoted its lion performance, featuring a lion from Ukraine, despite several incidents wherein animal performers attacked their human counterparts, said FAA in its open petition letter to the Ministry of Culture (MOC) on Nov. 1.

FAA pointed out that more such accidents could happen during the festival, and it is in line with traditional Chinese culture to protect animals, which otherwise endure cruel training to prepare for the show.

On the festival’s official website, a blonde boy riding a lion occupies a prominent spot in the center of the homepage, while an elephant with a clown can be spotted in one corner. The festival is scheduled to run from Nov. 18 to 26 in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. According to its website, the circus is a State-approved international competition and cultural exchange program, jointly organized by the MOC and Guangdong provincial government.

“We respect acrobats and other performers, who voluntarily choose to practice traditional skills. However, it is intolerable to see some people force animals to go against their nature and put on performances. This is not at all edifying,” the letter criticized, adding that the Ministry of Culture should not endorse such harmful behavior.

FAA has already delivered their petition letter to the MOC. On Nov. 2, FAA continued calling for the public to express opposition to animal performances via MOC’s website and WeChat account. MOC confirmed that they have received the letter, and promised that a response would be issued within 15 days.

(Photo/FAA)