Travel with pets on the Plane

Hi I want to travel with my cat by China Eastern Airlines from Fukuoka (Japan) to Moscow (Russia) via Shanghai.

When I called to China Eastern Air. office in Fukuoka they replied that it is forbidden because conditions in Shanghai airport may be not adequate. However I have not found official information that one can not carry pet animals as cargo for this particular destination Fukuoka-Shanghai-Moscow. Please confirm it or disapprove.