Donkey industry calls for financial kick from govt

A Shandong provincial people's congress member urged authorities to give financial support to the donkey industry in the same way that they do for the cattle and sheep industries.

"Donkeys are seldom seen working in fields anymore, and our country hasn't given any financial support to encourage farmers to raise donkeys for commercial use, which has driven the animal to the verge of extinction," Qin Yufeng, chairman of Dong'e Ejiao Co, told the 12th Shandong People's Congress, which concluded on Sunday.

The company is the largest Chinese maker of ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey hide that can improve blood supply.