City's public relations initiative cooks up a storm of approval

The Yangzhou municipal government in Jiangsu province opened three of its subsidized canteens to the public during the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday, and it plans to also open them to the public during the Labor Day and the National Day holidays. China Daily reporter Li Yang comments:

The three dining halls belong to the Yangzhou government, the Yangzhou Life Science and Technology School and the Yangzhou University's Slender West Lake Campus. All of which are located in the old city area, where there are many tourist attractions.

The government said that doing so is to meet the rising demand of the influx of tourists into the small city, which has been known as a regional cultural, economic and trade center for a long time in Chinese history.

The price of the food in the canteens is markedly lower than in restaurants. Ten yuan ($1.5) is enough to pay for a lunch of two dishes.

Most diners speak highly of the food, most of which is prepared in the traditional local style, and the hygienic conditions in the canteens.

Yangzhou, and some other cities, also opened government restrooms and parking lots to the public during the holiday.

For a long time, the government and public school canteens have been regarded as welfare for civil servants and students, who can enjoy good quality food at subsidized prices. The move of the Yangzhou government has been warmly welcomed by visitors and residents alike.

Opening the canteens that are close to sightseeing spots make it more convenient for tourists to taste local food at a reasonable price, and they can save time as they do not have to wait to be seated in busy restaurants.

Also, the opening of these canteens will prompt nearby restaurants to improve the quality of their food and services to compete for customers.

During the holiday, most of the government-subsidized canteens are often empty as most civil servants and students tend to return home. Opening them to the public means that these resources are being better used to serve the people.

The subsidy the government provided for the canteens during the holiday is well worth it, as the input can boost tourism revenues in other fields, or beget other forms of returns, such as the people's favorable impressions of the government and the city.

Hopefully, more local governments will follow suit turning their idle resources into considerate public services.