China border officials seize 213 bear paws (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Chinese officials have confiscated 213 bear paws hidden inside the tyres of a vehicle crossing the border from Russia, state media has announced.

Two Russians were detained in Manzhuoli, Inner Mongolia, when the discovery was made on 22 May.

Bear parts are prized in China for their perceived medicinal value, but their sale is illegal.

Initial investigations showed the paws were from the brown bear, a protected species in China, Global Times said.
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"The demand is huge because more people can afford them and the country has the tradition to treat bear paw as a rare ingredient for cuisine or as an expensive present," Mr Zhang said.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22949409

Bear's Paw is considered one of the eight treasures in traditional Chinese cuisine. It is said that in the winter bears lick their paws to get nourishment against the cold. Bear's Paw was an important dish for imperial banquets. It is prepared with vegetables cut into the shapes of 10 different flowers. It looks enchanting and tastes delicious.

Moose Nose is another famous dish. The moose lives in the Xing'an Mountains. The local people of Oroqen nationality call it "Four Unsimilarities" and used it as tributes to the Imperial Palace in the past. The fried moose nose is nourishing and tasty.
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Flying Dragon, Bear's Paw, Moose Nose and Monkey Head Mushroom are famed as the Four Delicacies in Heilongiiang. Those who attended the Flying Dragon Banquet commented, "Tasting is believing; tasting proves excellent delicacies." "You would regret it if you come to Heilongiang without having a Flying Dragon Banquet." Now some animals are listed as protected animals by the central government. On the one hand, people try to raise them for food, and great achievements have been made in breeding hazel grouse. On the other hand, people seek substitutes for the protected animals. However, the Flying Dragon Banquet remains to be the top delicacy in Heilongiiang.

http://210.46.97.180/zonghe/book/167-%E9%BB%91%E9%BE%99%E6%B1%9F%E5%AF%BC%E6%B8%B8(guid%20to%20Heilongjiang%20China)(234)%EF%BC%88%E5%B4%94%E8%80%81%E5%B8%88)/HEILONGJIANGCUISINE.htm

Years ago, I saw a documentary in which an American woman married a Chinese man -- the wedding banquet featured bear paw and moose nose.

How does anyone ever think up these things ?

[Nihil]

1. Sick bastards.

I long for the day when they rediscover the delights of roast human so they can finally
take themselves out of the equation.