Soldiers join the move of "eating up your dishes" in Taizhou city, Zhejiang province, Jan 25. [Zhou Wei/Asianewsphoto]

Professor Zhou Xiaozheng of Renmin University pointed out that in curbing waste on dining tables, the priority should be put on restricting government spending on receptions.

Yuan Longping, a renowned agriculture scientist, has even suggested the government move to criminalize such waste.

"China has a large population and little arable land, and we scientists have worked so hard to improve rice harvests. But after production was increased, people wasted it," Yuan said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday, adding that he proposes the government enact regulations to treat food waste as a crime.

Chen Daifu, a delegate to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, shares Yuan's thoughts.

Chen told Xinhua that he and other delegates have proposed a law to curb and prevent food waste, as well as punish those responsible for wasting food.

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