China’s Vegan Population is Largest in the World

Public Radio International recently covered the growing vegan trend in China, reporting on the sustainable sensibilities among the Eastern country’s masses that are a response to the greenhouse gas emissions and polluted waterways resulting from the increasing number of factory farms. PRI interviewed Chinese pop star Long Kuan, who helped kickstart the country’s vegan movement. Kuan told the news source that the younger generation is more conscious of the environment as well as the well-being of animals, and she says that with the ever-expanding number of vegan options, ranging from steak to pizza to fish, giving up animal products is easier than ever. According to PRI, 4 to 5 percent of the Chinese population is cruelty-free, which means more than 50 million people no longer eat meat or dairy—this is a larger number of herbivores than in the US.