Do Chinese eat cats?

Given the current hysteria about the Chinese wet markets and the eating of all kinds of exotic species that can lead to the transmission of all kinds of diseases to humanity the ancient question of whether the Chinese eat cats has come back into play. They deny it of course and cats are pets albeit poorly treated in some urban areas and little more that scavengers. In times of desperate hardship there is no doubt that all animals become potential elements in a food dish. Shenzen formally banned the eating of dogs and cats in May 2020 so perhaps there were always some prepared to eat them. It was only in 2006 that the Shenzen restaurant the Fangji restaurant that specialised in cat meatballs was closed after demonstrations. It was only in 2018 that the Hanoi authorities extorted its citizens to stop eating cat meat as often animals stolen off the street for human consumption.