Rodeo in China

Animal lovers, brace yourselves: China’s getting a rodeo.

A U.S. group is planning an eight-day rodeo in Beijing’s National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest (the one that missing artist Ai Weiwei helped design for the 2008 Olympics) later this year. On their website, organizers of the event say they hope the China Rodeo will promote cultural understanding between the United States and China. The rodeo, scheduled for October, is currently looking for sponsors. The Asia Society has posted a helpful video of Chinese language basics for rodeo fans.

A major rodeo in China could raise hackles of animal-rights groups, with the collision of a sport and a country both often criticized for inhumane treatment of animals.