The catering industry in China has enjoyed a rosy period this past five years, growing some 15 percent a year, far higher than the retail sector overall. 

This was announced by the head of the China Cuisine Association, Zhang Shiyao, on Sunday.

He says the catering industry in China has formed diverse sectors developing side-by-side and the country is promoting chain stores and franchises in the catering business.

He adds that this promising industry should be extended from the developed coastal regions to the hinterland and from big cities to rural areas.

In addition, Chinese food, rather than western fast food, needs to be more strongly promoted.

(CRI.com June 14, 2004)