Hong Kong animal groups urge HKTVmall boycott over life science experiments

An international animal rights group and a veterinary organisation have called for a public boycott of Hong Kong’s major online retailer, HKTVmall, after its parent company revealed a life science project testing the viability of detached animal heads and limbs.

The two groups staged an hour-long protest on Friday outside the HKTVmall building in Tseung Kwan O, also demanding that the company disclose more details of the experiments and cease animal testing.

The Hong Kong Technology Venture Company, parent company of the online retailer, revealed the project in its annual results on March 30, saying it believed the research to be a world first that could be applied to organ transplants and potentially extend human lifespan.

“We are calling HKTVmall and its parent company to cease doing any animal experiments and to switch to the more modern non-animal testing methods. And until then, we also urge the public and their customers to boycott HKTVmall for what they have been doing,” said Jackie Tang Kwok-fai, campaigner for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia (Peta).

Dressed in bloodstained suits and standing on burgundy-red paper designed to resemble a pool of blood, four advocates wore masks of pigs and sheep and held banners that read “stop cruel decapitation tests on animals”.

The visual concept was intended to illustrate the “blood involved” in the testing of animals, which are sentient beings capable of feeling horror and pain, Tsang said.

He added that there was “zero transparency” surrounding the experiments, leaving virtually no room for government oversight.