[CHINA]”Beef noodle style” Market Economy
Price of beef noodle regulated in Lanzhou first time - no more than 2.5 Yuan
Source: China News Agency, this is a rough English translation from the original reporting.
Lanzhou City, China，July 3 - City's Price Control Administration has just passed a bylaw to regulate price of the beef noodles. The price of the beef noodle served in a big bowl（Approximately 150g) shall not be sold for more than 2.5 Yuan(NZ$ 0.4) and small bowl served noodle (approximately 100g) cannot have a more than 0.2 Yuan price difference from the big bowl one. Businesses who breached this rule will be severely prosecuted.
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Just some background information before continue. Beef noodle is Lanzhou City's most famous snack in China and it's a must for tourists visiting the City. The famous "Lanzhou noodle" has its unique processing techniques such as only use hand pulled noodles.
Price Control Administration is a government agency formed in China's planned economy times. The responsibility of this agency is pretty much said in its name - to control the price of nearly everything. However, its role has been significantly weakened in last decade.
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Discussion on the price of beef noodles in Lanzhou city is as hot as the noodle itself. In May this year, "Lanzhou hand pulled beef noodle" has been selected into City's list of Intangible cultural heritage for protection. In June, a surprise price hike of beef noodle shocked many citizens.
Started in June 16th, residents of Xigu suburb discovered that the price of their beloved beef noodle has increased by 0.5yuan.
The news sent a shock wave in the city and many residents reckons that the beef noodle is no longer affordable to them.
Many noodle restaurant owners blamed the increase of row materials such as beef, oil and seasonings for the price hike. A business owner told the reporter, most noodle restaurants are operating on a minimal profit.
Beef noodle, or hand-pulled beef noodle is the most famous product of Lanzhou's catering sector. Origin of the noodle can be traced back to Qing dynasty.
As many Lanzhou residents' first choice for their breakfast, price of beef noodles has been increased many times this year, following the price increase of its raw materials, creating complaints from people with low income.
Many restaurants are still selling the beef noodle at the increased and the "illegal" price. However, a restaurant owner in An'ning suburb admits that there is a decline in number of customers since the price hike.
