Vegetarians of the world, unite. International Meatless Day dawned and faded in obscurity yesterday, while carnivores wolfed down all manner of flesh, from snake to crocodile.
Vegetarian Society members may have spoken with relish of their nut-burgers, choi sum, salad and beans, but the hordes were hungering for chicken legs and char siu.
Vegetarianism is sprouting throughout the world, says society chairman Simon Chau Sui-cheong, and has won over the palates of six per cent of British people and 10 per cent of the Dutch.
Yet in Hong Kong, where Buddhists, Taoists and Hindus swell meatless eaters' ranks, devotees of the humble vegetable are estimated at a mere 1.3 per cent of the population, some 85,000 people.
Meanwhile, doctors say those who push meat off their plates entirely are asking for trouble. Vegans - who shun milk, eggs and other animal products - have even more difficulty in acquiring nutrients and vitamins.
Mr Chau admits Hong Kong is well behind in the vegetarian stakes but points to the two-year-old society's membership of 1,300, the number of vegetarian restaurants in the SAR - 110.
