NGOs call to drop fish magic trick

Animal rights campaigners have joined forces to call on China Central Television to cancel a performance by a magician whose act has been branded cruel to fish.

Fu Yandong, who was a huge hit on the recent Spring Festival gala, is booked to appear on the Lantern Festival show on Thursday, when he is expected to repeat his trick of making six goldfish dance and lineup using whistles.

However, on Monday, Valentine's Day, 53 NGOs sent a joint letter to CCTV chiefs urging them to show a little love to the animals used in the act. Co-signers included Capital Animal Welfare Association, as well as groups based in Hunan, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces.