More than 90 percent of respondents to an online poll said that
China should "resolutely oppose Japanese whaling".
The poll results will come as a setback for Japan because
politicians are desperately trying to muster international votes
for a crucial annual meeting of the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) next week.
The poll, conducted by CCTV.com, CYOL.com, Tom.com and IFAW.org
websites from June 2 to 6, received 2,893 votes; 91 percent were
resolutely opposed to Japanese whaling, while only five percent
supported it.
Four percent were unconcerned.
"Whales are part of the natural environment and we cannot leave
only pieces of them for future generations," a voter nicknamed Ni
Ya wrote on CCTV.com.
"China should vote against Japan to protect the whales."
Japan has been pressuring countries to vote in favor of
commercial whaling, which the IWC banned in 1986, at a meeting to
be held on St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean from June 16 to
20.
"Given the current situation, it would not be an exaggeration to
say that China's vote may play an important role in stepping up the
anti-whaling campaign," said Jeff He, an official with the
International Fund for Animal Welfare China office.
A government official, who declined to be named, told Xinhua
News Agency that it would be improper for the government to
publicize its stance before the vote, but added that China has
strictly abided by the whaling ban.
Two countries supporting Japan -- the Marshall Islands and
Cambodia -- have joined the IWC ahead of the meeting, Japan's Kyodo
news agency reported on Monday.
As the admissions bring the number of IWC members to 69, Japan's
most optimistic projections put the number of countries supporting
its bid at 36, with 32 against and the position of one unknown.
Japan is confident the pro-whaling camp will secure a majority,
reported Kyodo. If the ban is overturned Japan aims to propose
scrapping the Conservation Committee, officials from Japan's
Fisheries Agency have said.
In 1986, the IWC implemented a global moratorium on whale
hunting, which is still in effect today.
Despite the ban, Japan has continued to hunt whales, arguing
that the IWC permits whaling for scientific research. It classifies
its whaling as "scientific" despite acknowledging that meat and
blubber are processed and sold commercially in Japan. Experts say
Japan is misinterpreting the rules.
(China Daily June 8, 2006)