Gourmets with a special predilection for dog meat will be disappointed if they come to the Chinese capital in the coming two months, according to a Beijing Tourism Bureau official on Friday.

Xiong Yumei, the bureau's vice director, said if a customer ordered dog meat restaurant staff should "patiently" suggest another entree.

"Conflicts should be avoided," she stressed.

Earlier, the Beijing Catering Trade Association (BETA) issued a circular that forbade all 112-designated restaurants to provide dog meat dishes during the August Olympics. It added, as for other establishments, they were strongly advised to suspend serving dog until September.

As for dog meat for medicinal purposes, the circular said the ingredient should be listed clearly. The meat is believed by many Chinese to be an effective element to lower high blood pressure.

Any restaurant found violating the ban would be blacklisted by the association, though the exact punishment was not specified.

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2008)