This Day, That Year

Item from Feb 4, 1985, in China Daily: People hurrying for trains enjoy a meal provided in boxes at a Chinese-style fast-food restaurant near Beijing. The China Food Industry Technology Development Corporation said fast-food factories providing up to 1.3 million meals a day will be built across China by the end of the year. The meals, mostly Chinese-style with rice and vegetables, will be supplied to factories, mines and government offices.

Fast-food outlets are now a common sight in rapidly developing Chinese cities, with most white-collar workers opting for Chinese-style fast food for their breakfasts.

The country's catering industry was valued at about 2.8 trillion yuan ($455 billion) last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Popular chains include Zhen Gong Fu (Kungfu), 85°C Bakery Cafe and Yonghe King, which is known for its soybean milk and deep-fried dough fritters, such as those offered in the menu above.