Dateline 22nd March 2012.
In 2011 Messrs Jim Zhang, Ding Liguo, and Wan Jie began moves to get a law passed in China banning the import of shark fins. Signatures were collected in The National People's Congress (NPC) and the People's Political Consultation Conferences (CPPCC) with the eventual aim of securing a ban on fin imports into mainland China.
Jim Zhang has now reported that the process is moving forward, and he and his colleagues have written a draft proposal which would ban shark fin consumption in government banquets and official events. The proposal has been co-signed by enough NPC delegates to ensure that it is considered as "state level important", and will get serious consideration.
China consumes 95% of the world's shark fin harvest, and any steps to reduce Chinese demand are of enormous importance.