Army re-fry leftovers amid anti-waste campaign

BEIJING - China's anti-waste campaign keeps simmering in the military, as new measures have asked soldiers to feed on their leftovers and keep away from fancy food during official banquets.

The "ten new measures" meted out this week by the General Logistics Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, instruct personnel to develop civilized and frugal diet habits, and make better use of leftovers and food materials.

Unfinished rice and other dishes should be re-cooked into fried rice with eggs and fried steamed bread, and leftover parts of vegetables be made into various pickles and appetizers, according to the measures.

They ask military kitchens to work out a healthy, standard food menu, and make the best of every ingredient.

The new regulations also force hotels run by the army to cancel minimum-spend requirements and ban board expenses being appropriated for official receptions. No luxury dishes are to be ordered in such receptions.

The movement echoes Chinese leader Xi Jinping's repeated call for practising thrifty lifestyles and fighting extravagance.

The army has huge saving potential and is a key fort to implement China's current anti-extravagance spirit, according to a General Logistics Department statement.

In 2011, China spent about $93 billion dollars on its armed forces, including on feeding its 2.3 million soldiers.

In 2012, the country's national defense budget rose to more than $106 billion, an 11.2 percent increase year on year.

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