No appetite for food waste as national campaign takes off online

BEIJING－A nationwide "Clear Your Plate" campaign against wasting food is gaining steam online in China.

Social media users are invited to share photos or videos of empty plates after finishing their meals on Weibo, a popular social media platform, where fighting food wastage is among the hottest topics.

Media outlets, government agencies, social organizations and internet influencers have joined the online relay of messages against wasting food, which has been warmly met by netizens.

"Do not waste a grain of food," read a Weibo post by People's Daily, which has recently launched an "Empty Plate Challenge" online jointly with the platform. "The 'Clear Your Plate' campaign has become the trend of the day!"

"Labor is most glorious and food wastage is most shameful," wrote a Weibo user in a comment.

Food wasted by Chinese consumers each year is sufficient to feed millions of people, according to data widely circulated through social media posts. Diners are advised to order no more food than they can eat.

"I cleared my plate and had no leftovers," wrote Wei Daxun, a young Chinese actor, in a Weibo post with photos of three empty plates.

By the evening of Aug 14, the campaign, with the hashtag of Guang Pan Xing Dong, or "Clear Your Plate", had generated around 870,000 posts and 550 million views on Weibo. It also saw rising criticism online over eating shows that encourage wasting food.

A Weibo post by China Central Television that targets the practice of eating extravagantly, where people pretend to be big eaters but vomit off-camera, attracted 210 million views.

Online shows and livestreaming services have been instructed to ban shows that encourage food-wasting, the China Association of Performing Arts said last week.

A CAPA notice reminded anchors of food-related livestreaming shows to avoid pursuing excessive entertainment and wasting food to attract viewers' attention.

Some of China's major livestreaming platforms have vowed to prohibit such performances.

China's restaurant industry will also step up to stop food wastage and promote thrift, according to a proposal jointly issued by several associations in related sectors. They include the China Cuisine Association and the China Hospitality Association.

Catering businesses and restaurants are urged to create an environment in which consumers are reminded to not waste food. They are also encouraged to make adjustments to promote moderate consumption while meeting customer demand.

Xinhua