China's Xi says nation needs to put an end to soaring food waste

In 2013, China launched an 'empty your plates' campaign to stop food waste from increasing, and the grains waste at that time was estimated at 35 million tonnes a year. - Bloomberg

BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): China's President Xi Jinping urged his country to take immediate measures to stop food waste from growing, especially at a time when the nation is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chinese leader said the issue of food waste is "shocking and distressing", and highlighted the importance of maintaining food security as the virus spurs concerns over tightening supplies and surging prices, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday (Aug 11).