29 November, 2014
A rhesus macaque cowers as its trainer approaches, while training for a circus act, in Suzhou, eastern China.
Performing animals in circuses and zoos are enormously popular in China. After years of pressure from animal-welfare groups, the Chinese government has banned animal circuses, and implemented regulations to stop abuse at state-owned zoos, but many trainers say they have not heard of the ban, nor have any intention of stopping. Authorities in Suzhou, which with its 300 troupes is known as the hometown of circus in China, have announced plans for developing alternative circus entertainment, without performing animals.
Yongzhi Chu
Yongzhi Chu was born in 1973 in Yuexi County, Anhui Province. He is a documentary photographer working for Zhejiang Daily Press Group.
