Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a call for “Operation empty plate” to the people who aimed not to waste food. There was a strong reason behind Xi’s appeal. China faced severe back-to-back floods in 2020 after the eruption of coronavirus. Crops were washed away in the floods and that caused a food shortage. Operation empty plate alerts the people on the consumption of food. Now, again China did a similar manner with a slight difference. China has called on families to stock up on food for the winter months. The reason behind the latest call is that Beijing enforces stringent restrictions intended to curb a number of Covid outbreaks.
There are many speculations on
Beijing’s call in social media. Some have assumed that it was because of Taiwan
tensions but official media gave hints to people for the preparation of
covid-19 lockdowns in the country. Beijing’s advice stocking up on food and
other necessities surges the prices. Adding to the pandemic, heavy rains have
driven vegetable prices higher. China's government’s notice prompts people to
panic buying. It also asked the government machinery to maintain adequate food
supplies in stores. Coronavirus-positive cases have spiked to a near
three-month high despite harsh restrictions. China reported 400 locally
transmitted covid-19 cases, with many infections in remote towns.
As per the recent study,
the increase of cases alarmed local authorities and ordered them to impose
strict restrictions on travel and tourism. Residential colonies and apartments
in several Chinese provinces have been temporarily closed. The country is
battling several Covid-19 outbreaks. Now, China has been following the
“Zero Covid Policy” which was implemented in Australia and Germany that
includes widespread testing and lockdowns. Vegetable and food necessities
prices in October rose by 16% month-on-month in the country.
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