China's public eatery experiment

In this episode of Round Table, Steve, Yushan, and Xingyu discuss the emerging trend of government canteens in China opening their doors to the public, including tourists. They explore the reasons behind this initiative, such as easing tourism pressure and better utilizing public resources, and highlight examples from cities like Chongqing, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu. The discussion covers the affordability and authenticity of the food offered, the positive impact on community relations, and the innovative technologies being implemented in some canteens, such as AI-powered cooking and facial recognition payment systems. The hosts also share positive feedback from the public, who appreciate the cost-effectiveness, convenience, and sense of community fostered by this new approach to public service.