Stores pull bear-bile products

Animal activists protest against bear-bile products. [File photo]

Saturday's invitation also included 72 celebrities and workers from animal protection organizations who had signed a letter to the China Securities Regulatory Commission against the company's shares plan.

However, the website was hacked one hour after the invitation was posted and couldn't be opened until yesterday morning.

The China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine defended the company last week, comparing bile extraction to "turning on a tap."

However, Internet users pointed out that the company is a member of the association, which charges an annual fee of 5,000 yuan (US$794).

The Animals Asia Foundation said bile extraction, which involves inserting a catheter into a bear's abdomen, causes great suffering.

Bear bile is said to cure liver and eye ailments, remove toxins and eliminate fevers.

Former NBA star Yao Ming visited a center in Sichuan Province at the weekend which has 277 moon bears rescued from bear bile farms to call on the public to protect the animals.

There are currently 68 licensed bear farms in China.