Because lions are not produced in China, but are paid by western countries.
According to archaeological findings, before the emergence of human civilization, lions on Chinese soil had become extinct. Lions were widely distributed in Africa, while "Asian lions" were distributed in the west of Asia.
In Chinese history books, there is a kind of beast called "Lion Dragon". According to the interpretation of books in the Jin Dynasty, the Lion Dragon is a kind of beast similar to a lion. The word "lion" comes from the ancient Persian language. The earliest lion sculpture murals are in ancient Persia and later in India. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, lions from the Western Regions were sent to the imperial palace with tribute envoys. It was the first time that Chinese people saw real live lions.
The lion is considered to be the protector god of many religions. With the introduction of Buddhism into China, the Chinese also believe that this powerful and tall beast has the dignity and authority not inferior to the tiger, and gradually produced the "lion culture".
Why there are no lions in Chinese zoos
There are no protected areas in China without lions. Lions once existed in China, but they are extinct. Lions were originally distributed in all parts of Africa, South Asia and the Middle and Near East except the tropical rainforest areas. Now lions in other parts of Asia except Jill in India have disappeared, and there are no wild lions in North Africa. At present, lions are mainly distributed in the grasslands south of the Sahara Desert in Africa, so they can be regarded as Africa's specialty now.