The meeting comes as Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, looks to upgrade its military and replace its ageing hardware, earmarking 134.3 trillion rupiah ($8.89 billion) this year for defence, the biggest allocation in its state budget, with a similar amount for next year.

Japan exported about $600 million worth of aquatic products to China in 2022, making it the biggest market for Japanese exports, with Hong Kong second. Sales to China and Hong Kong accounted for 42% of all Japanese aquatic exports in 2022, according to government data.

Romaine found former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw made recommendations and ultimately implemented the restrictions, but it was cabinet which wielded the final decision making power.

Alberta's Public Health Act does not allow for the CMOH to delegate her decision-making powers to politicians.

The dearth of information on taxpayer-funded investigations is a problem, some observers say, particularly because the government argued that creating Animal Welfare Services would make the enforcement of animal cruelty laws more transparent.

"The public has the right to know," said Kendra Coulter, a professor at Huron University College at Western University who is an expert on animal protection organizations.

"We can't be engaged citizens who are speaking to our members of provincial parliament if we don't even know what the issues are."