Food and banquets play a central social role in China, and hosts commonly order many dishes to show hospitality. Over decades the diet shifted from grains toward meat; per capita meat consumption rose from under 10 kilograms annually in the 1970s to about 70 kg by 2022. Higher meat consumption increases the environmental impact of any food that is wasted.
Estimates show large losses across the food chain. In 2015 researchers found restaurants discarded 17–18 million tons of food each year, about 93 grams per person per meal, and over a third of banquet dishes were uneaten. Of total waste from households, retail and food service, 931 million tons occur annually and 61 percent happens in people’s homes.
Civic campaigns helped change behaviour: on 22 April 2012 Xu Zhijun and a civic group called N_33 began posting empty‑plate images on Weibo, and the Empty the Plate Campaign went viral in 2013. The 2021 Anti‑Food Waste Law penalises those who encourage excessive ordering and targets eating broadcasts (Mukbang). Experts say production‑end losses are large, and the State Council issued a plan to cut loss rates during production, storage and transport.
Difficult words
- banquet — A large formal meal for many peoplebanquets
- hospitality — Friendly treatment of guests or visitors
- per capita — Amount for each person in a population
- discard — To throw away or remove as wastediscarded
- uneaten — Not eaten; left on the plate
- retail — Selling goods directly to consumers
- civic — Related to citizens or community actions
- viral — Spreading quickly online or among people
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you seen large meals or banquets at celebrations in your country? How do people show hospitality?
- What can families do to reduce food waste at home? Give two ideas.
- Do you think campaigns or laws are more effective to reduce food waste? Why?
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