Microblog insights--July 9

Topic 1: The State Council announced that it plans to release guidelines banning shark's fin from the menu at Chinese official banquets within one to three years, Xinhua News Agency reported. In many parts of China, shark's fin soup is considered a symbol of wealth and status. Activists said that the country's appetite for the pricey dish has fueled a global trade that kills some 73 million sharks a year, with 95 percent of shark fins being eaten in China, according to The Wall Street Journal. Micro-bloggers expressed different opinions toward the government's move on shark's fin.

HAIDIZHILENG: I think the status of abalone and sea cucumber on the menu will climb.

LIMESWEET: I didn't even know that civil servants could have shark's fin on their tables. Is it not out of their meal range?

LILILI: Why does it require three years to accomplish something that can be finished within three minutes?

LIWEIYI: Shark's fin is very expensive. It is committing a crime to allow civil servants to eat it using taxpayers' money.

PINGHUDEYOUYU: What a laughable move. Will these officials suffer malnourishment if they don't have shark's fin soup? Do they need a three-year period for adapting to life without shark's fin on their menu? If so, I think all these officials are ill.

AICHISUGARWB: In three years, some species of shark will have become extinct. At that point, even if it's permissible to eat them, they won't be there for these officials to eat them.

YILUBENTIANYA: Other animals should be worried. Will we be the next species that that will become extinct?"

LAWYERGAOLINGINHARBIN: It is the market economy. Three years is enough for shark's fin producers and suppliers to prepare to switch to other businesses.

ZHIXUN: It is not going to work if there is no legislation banning shark's fin from being served at official banquets.

Topic 2: The sportswear company Li Ning Co unveiled a three-year transformation program on July 5 aimed at improving profitability. The program started with its chief executive officer stepping down. Li Ning, the founder of the company, said it has appointed Kim Jin-Goon, a partner of the US private equity firm TPG Group, as its executive vice-chairman. The company said that its founder and executive vice-chairman will lead the company during the search for a new chief executive officer. The sports apparel maker's profits fell 65 percent last year. It is estimated its profitability will suffer a severe slump this year because of rising costs and the economic slowdown in China. Also, it faces mounting competition from both foreign sports brands such as Nike Inc and local rivals, including Anta Sports Products Ltd.

XUBING: Li Ning Co will have to exit the sporting goods industry if it doesn't change right now.

JOANNALI_NG: I'm expecting the transformation of Li Ning Co.

DAXIONGWEINI2002: About a decade ago, Li Ning Co's design was close to Nike and Adidas but now it looks almost the same as Anta and Xstep. Who's to blame for this?

SANWANFEETHUCHI: It is still very important to enhance product diversity.

GERIK: Li Ning Co's market share is getting smaller and smaller. Its products' quality is just so so and lacks creativity but its prices are very high.

DAL-QIAN: How could the sportswear company survive market change when it failed to create its own core value?

ALONEPENQ: Please change back to Li Ning Co's previous logo because it was classic and it's quite a pity it was thrown away.

LIRONGVISION: Li Ning Co's dilemma epitomizes Chinese private enterprises' difficult situation.

All the information is from Sina Weibo.