To The Ambassador For The People`s Republic Of China, We,the undersigned,wish to express our outrage, deepest sorrow and utter contempt for the inhumane slaughtering of companion animals for food and their fur taking place in the chinese markets. We are asking you respectfully to end this cruel trade by closing down these markets before the start of the olympic games in 2008.We ask that an animal welfare law is in place before then, making it illegal to kill and eat companion animals in China. Dogs and cats are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain and suffering. There are many advantages to owning a pet, they are our friends and helpers and the consensus of the chinese population is that they should be given the respect for that purpose, not for food or fur.There is no scientific nor medical evidence to prove the chinese myth that eating these animals carries health benefits. Culture does not justify cruelty.The Animals Asia Foundation states that China is changing, killing and eating companion animals has no place in modern society. China will be under the world`s spotlight next year, to gain international respect and approval as a nation, its practices of animal cruelty must cease immediately.Please listen to the people, put this old fashioned culture alongside cannibalism and slavery, in the history books.Allow China, the country with the largest population in the world and booming economy to internationally lead the way with its modern forward thinking approach.