No shark fin for Yao Ming
When Chinese basketball star Yao Ming got married he did not have shark fin soup at his wedding. Many rich people like to eat shark fin soup because it shows everyone that they are rich.
But Yao and his wife Ye Li have been saying 'no' to shark fin since 2006.
'Sharks are not our food,' he said.
Yao retired from basketball earlier this month. Many of his fans were very sad. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for wildlife protection. He has been joined by other famous mainland athletes Li Ning and Kong Linghui.
But Yao also does other good deeds. After the big Sichuan earthquake in 2008, he donated HK$2.4 million to help survivors.
'When I was a little boy, my parents and teachers told me to help others and to be a good man,' Yao says. He could not do much at the time because he did not have a lot of money. But that changed once he became famous.
Yao Ming is China's hero.
Margaret says
Eating shark fin is part of our culture. But too many sharks are dying. Maybe we should only do it at very special parties.
Shane says
I will never eat shark fin. Sharks are too important to the planet. If no sharks are left, all the other fish will die.
Five things to know about SHARKS
1 Not all sharks are dangerous. Some only eat tiny plankton.
2 Sharks have been around for more than 400 million years.
3 You can tell what a shark eats by the shape of its teeth.
4 Sharks eat other sharks.
5 Sharks have no bones. Their skeleton is made out of cartilage, the same stuff your ears and nose are made of.
