China is a country steeped in ancient culture. It has made a significant contribution to equestrian history including, for example, the invention of the breast strap harnessing system and the collar harness - found in China centuries before making an appearance in Europe . The first records of donkeys in China are found during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220AD) when they were highly prized by the nobility. It was not until centuries later that they became beasts of burden. With over 7 million donkeys, China has by far the greatest donkey numbers in the world today. In 2006, The Donkey Sanctuary was invited to China to take a look at donkeys and mules throughout the country. Two further visits have followed, and in June this year our in-country representative Qin Yinghe from the China Agricultural University came to the Sanctuary in Sidmouth. This visit underlined the growing commitment of the Sanctuary to the donkeys of China.