China has taken on a national campaign to cut government spending on receptions and reduce food waste by the public. Restaurants have also joined the fight by introducing saving measures. This could signal a huge shift in a country where the traditional idea of hospitality is the groaning board.

Chinese love to eat. Food is regarded as the most important way to communicate. And many believe when it comes to hospitality, the more, the better, to the point of excess.

Zhong Shushu, senior associate of Pricewaterhouse Coopers in China, is torn between common sense and tradition.

"I think we need to order something we like to eat and easy to finish. And maybe a half order to avoid waste," Zhong said.

In the end, Zhong orders five dishes, half a Peking duck, some vegetables and a spicy fish. She believes that saving food doesn't mean just cutting back or being cheap, but finishing whatever they order.

The manager of this restaurant is doing what he can to help diners. It pains him to see untouched food thrown out.

Xiang Kui, general manager of Hua's restaurant in Beijing, said, "For example, if customers order more than they can eat, our waiters should kindly remind them to cut the number of dishes, to reduce waste."

Some people are in the habit of finishing everything on their daily lunch tray. Xu Zhijun, vice president of China Land & Resources News Agency, has been doing it for years. He calls it "clearing the plate". The day we interviewed him, he cleared his plate within 20 minutes.

"There are still a lot of people who don't have enough to eat, yet many local citizens have thrown away a whole chicken or fish. What people find even more unbearable is the government reception dinners wasting huge amounts of public money," Xu said.

For over a year, Xu has been conducting an online campaign against waste at the dining table.

His call to "Clear the Plates" has drawn media attention, and become a nationwide campaign.

"The 'Clear the Plates' campaign is not only to save food, but also to better preserve our resources and protect the environment and health," Xu said.

Back at Zhong's dinner table, the restaurant helps them pack up the leftovers. It's a satisfying end to a good meal.

"I've learned to accept the idea of clearing the plates, and I hope more friends will do the same," Zhong said.

(CNTV.cn February 6, 2013)