Across China: Beijing

Catering sector gains

China's catering industry grossed 1.8 trillion yuan ($263 billion) in 2009, with a 16.8 increase from the previous year, according to a report by the China Cuisine Association (CCA), the Beijing News reported on Friday.

Each urban resident in Beijing spent an average of 5,936 yuan on food last year, up 6.7 percent from the previous year. They spent 1,646 yuan eating out, with a year-on-year increase of 17 percent.