The City University of Hong Kong has asked its departments to consider scrapping roast pig cutting ceremonies at celebratory events, following a controversy at the opening of the university’s new veterinary medical centre.
The opening was held on March 27 and the university posted about it on Facebook two days later. In the photo, CityU President Way Kuo and CityU Veterinary Health Group Board Chair Lau Ming-wai were seen cutting a roast pig. A second roast pig can also be seen in the photo.
The Facebook post was widely shared this week as commentators satirised the photo: “What will be taught at the veterinary medical centre? Practical lesson: You don’t have to waste time saving the animal when you can kill it and eat it,” one said. “Ethics lesson: Some animals are not animals but food.”
“Poor pig gave its life to the mission of animal health,” another said.
Following the outcry, CityU removed the photo.
On Thursday, the university also issued a statement saying that the roast pig cutting ceremony was held because the ceremony was regarded as a traditional ritual in Hong Kong when a new building has been completed.
【🎉🎉城大動物醫學新里程︰城大動物醫療中心開幕】亞洲最具規模之一的動物醫療機構城大動物醫療中心將於4月3日投入運作，將為城大賽馬會動物醫學及生命科學院的專家提供案例及為學生提供實習機會。中心實用面積達3.3萬平方呎，設有全港首個動物深…
Posted by City University of Hong Kong on Friday, 29 March 2019
“The arrangements were made by the organising committee as a gesture of blessing,” it said. “Some members of the senior management team had expressed concerns before the roast pig cutting took place.”
“When considering environmental protection, in addition to removing shark fin from our banquets, the senior management team will now request all CityU departments to consider cancelling roast pig cutting and other similar rites at celebration activities in the future.”
The centre was formerly CityU Peace Avenue Veterinary Clinic and is located in Mong Kok.
The three-storey centre is equipped with an intensive care unit for animals, a cardiology suite, 22 consultation rooms, nine dedicated operating theatres, and 24/7 emergency services manned by registered emergency veterinarians.
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