Letters | Let 2026 be the year we are kinder to animals
Readers suggest what Hongkongers can do in the coming year to make a difference and reflect on the constant pursuit of gratification
The New Year is a time for renewal, not just for us, but for the animals who share our city and our planet. As Hong Kong prepares to welcome 2026, we face an important question: will we continue to accept animal suffering as entertainment and “tradition”, or will we choose compassion and progress?
Over the past year, there have been clear signs that change is possible. Across Asia, public pressure has exposed abuse and pushed industries to evolve – from investigations revealing violence against angora rabbits and elephants forced into performances, to broader acceptance of modern, non-animal testing methods and the rapid expansion of vegan dining. These shifts point to a simple truth: when people demand better for animals, industries respond.
Hong Kong has a role to play in this movement. Take Ocean Park, a venue that promotes itself as a conservation leader while continuing to profit from captive animal displays and from serving animals in its restaurants. Peta has repeatedly urged Ocean Park to align its practices with its stated values by ending dolphin shows and removing fish and shellfish from its menus. These steps would be consistent. Conservation loses its meaning when it excludes the animals most directly affected.
Hong Kong will welcome the Year of the Horse in February next year. Horses symbolise freedom, strength and spirit in Chinese culture. Yet in Hong Kong, real horses are forced to race at extreme speeds, whipped, drugged and pushed until their legs shatter. Honouring the Year of the Horse should prompt us to question why industries that treat living beings as expendable are defended as entertainment or “tradition”.
Animals are not objects or resources. They experience fear, stress and pleasure, form relationships and value their own lives. Recognising this shapes healthier communities and a more sustainable future. Vegan food systems reduce environmental harm, animal-free science drives innovation without victims, and ending animal-based entertainment reflects values rooted in respect rather than control.