Dear President Xi:

We are a group of Americans who have followed China's transformation under your leadership. Congratulations on your hard work and success.

A 2020 survey by Pew Research Center indicates that the countries that were polled see China as the world’s top economy. As a global leader, China is in an incredible position of power with the ability to further improve the welfare of the Chinese people and to help shape the future of humanity. The world celebrates your beautiful country and the talented citizens and their accomplishments. We are writing today to bring to your attention a trade that involves the selling, transporting and slaughtering of stolen and stray dogs. This dog and cat meat trade that has been sustained by a series of illegal activities is a serious public health, food safety and pandemic risk. We know that the trade has been criticized in the Chinese media and by Chinese activists. It is our hope that we can help bring the matter to your attention so that the trade can be shut down for the sake of public health and for safeguarding China's reputation.

As a group of Americans who are fascinated with China's phenomenal change, we have learned that the Chinese society at large is opposed to the dog and cat meat trade. We are particularly impressed that Chinese legislators have over the last decade submitted countless proposals on banning dog/cat meat trade. Many of China's celebrities have also expressed their support for banning the dog/cat meat trade and for ending the highly controversial Yulin Dog Meat Festival.  What has encouraged people who love to see China's progress is China's actions against the wildlife trade and consumption and Chinese official recognition of dogs and cats as companion animals.  The milestone step taken of outlawing the dog and cat meat trade in by Shenzhen and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province is a new sign of China's progress. We hope that the same policy adopted in Shenzhen and Zhuhai can be introduced to all other cities across the country.

As we approach the summer solstice, we would like to appeal to you to intervene and stop mass dog slaughter and consumption in the name of the dog meat festival in Yulin. Massive dog slaughter and transport can be a breeding ground for zoonotic diseases. The fact that most of the dogs come from suspicious sources is also a huge public safety and food safety concern.  Yulin has nothing to lose by ending its dog meat trade; it has a lot to gain for itself, for the province of Guangxi, and for China. We understand that the Yulin Dog Meat Festival has been a hugely divisive event, causing conflicts between the majority of the Chinese people and the small number of traders. China's social stability should not be disrupted by the traders who impose the unpopular trade on the Chinese people.  As China is preparing for the Winter Olympics, ending the trade and the festival in Yulin will also remove an excuse that could be used by hostile forces who would use anything to oppose China. We understand perfectly that the dog meat trade is no representation of China's economy and the dog meat traders are no representatives of the Chinese people.  We urge you to help stop the trade and the festival out of our fascination with the Chinese accomplishments and our love of the Chinese people.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We would greatly appreciate a response from your assistants.