You don't have to be the rodent-phobic hero of 1984, Winston Smith, to squirm at the prospect of a plague of 2 billion rats, or that they are being served up in restaurants. It's a revolting but also fascinating story.
The rodent infestation is a big topic on Chinese blogs, according to John Kennedy on Global Voices. He unearths a defence of traditional Chinese remedies and diets in the face of Western squeamishness. But also plenty of disgust that the rats, which are really just big mice, are being eaten in Guangzhou.
If it all seems too horrific to believe, check out this film from a Chinese news bulletin. There are also pictures.
