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China has an attack of autocratic socialism

by on24 December 2020


Nanny state fines over food vBlogs

It case you thought that China was moving away from bureaucratic nanny state socialism, it seems that those days have not passed.

 Lawmakers in China are considering new legislation that would impose fines against anyone who creates videos where people eat large quantities of food or binge drinks.

According to the Chinese state media outlet, China News, the new law, part of broader legislation to discourage food waste, would also allow restaurants in China to charge extra for customers who do not finish their meals.

The Chinese government under President Xi Jinping started a campaign called the Clean Plate Campaign earlier this year to waste less food domestically.

Xi said over the summer that the goal was to create a social order where "waste is shameful and thriftiness is applaudable".

Fines for breaking the new law would range from 10,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan, or roughly $1,530 to $15,300.

The draft legislation was submitted to China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Tuesday, and covers "radio stations, television stations, and online audio and video service providers".

Traditionally, it is polite in China to serve guests large portions of food, a way to show generosity that would be familiar to many Americans. However more than 17 million pounds of food in China gets thrown out every year which would be enough to feed Texas if they ever ate rice.

 

Last modified on 24 December 2020
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