China’s duck store ‘rising star’ in pet market

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – As the country is progressing out of the coronavirus pandemic, China is slowly allowing people to move out along with their families for recreation in public parks and entertainment stores.

In the south-central city of Guangzhou, a store themed “call duck” was recently opened which has caught the eye of the people. The shop allows people and their children to entertain themselves by spending time with ducks for a certain time.

“Pure white plumage, round head and small but the fat shape, call ducks with their adorable appearance are becoming rising stars in China's pet market,” reported China Daily.

The pictures from the store show ducks have been put on with colored clothes to attract visitors, especially children.

The capital of Guangdong province, Guangzhou is an inland port city located in the Pearl River delta and is China’s third-largest city after Shanghai and Beijing with over 13 million population.

Bordering Hong Kong, Guangdong is known for new and innovative architecture, roasted ducks at the dining table and hosting trade fairs -- best known for its annual "Canton Fair", the oldest and largest trade fair in China.

The province reported 1,532 cases of coronavirus while 8 patients died due to the infection.

China has also allowed people from other provinces to resume their public activities.

The local authorities in Guangzhou also reopened Safari Park to the public early this month. However, visitors have been told to strictly follow coronavirus pandemic prevention measures.

People were seen visiting a glass museum in Qinhuangdao in Hebei province after anti-COVID-19 restrictions were loosened.

In Zhejiang province, students and the public also began to visit bookstores.

The excitement on the faces of people during their outdoor activities comes after China loosened lockdown measures that were imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 infection.

The infection was reported from Wuhan city in central China’s Hubei province last December.

China has reported 83,976 cases so far, while 4,637 have lost their lives. Most of the cases and deaths occurred in Hubei province.

COVID-19 has spread to 187 countries and territories since first discovered and has resulted in the death of over 270,200 people. More than 3.87 million have been infected by it forcing global shutdown against the disease.