"In the past, we always have a big meal at the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This year, we were informed that the open year banquet was cancelled before the Spring Festival."

 

　　However, some high-end restaurants have still been booked to hold such events. Many luxury foods, such as sea cucumbers and shark fin can be seen on the menus.

 

　　In the past, public money accounted for a large portion of luxury gift consumption during the Spring Festival, but this year the sales of high-end cigarettes and alcohol have seen a dramatic decline and the prices of such high end products have also declined.

 

　　Zhao Zhou is the manager of a local supermarket

 

　　"Take Maotai alcohol as an example, we only sold about 20 bottles but during the Spring Festival; usually we can sell more than 100 bottles. It's a sharp decline. The price of alcohol in this category is also declining significantly."

 

　　According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, during the Spring Festival Holiday, the revenue of high-end restaurants in Beijing reduced by 35 percent. In Shanghai and Ningbo, the figure was down by 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

 

　　Shen Danyang, is the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce.

 

　　"The consumption of bird's nest has reduced by about 40 percent. The consumption of shark fin reduced by more than 70 percent. The sales volume of high-end food packages in luxury hotels is also down by 45 percent. There has also been a significant reduction in the consumption of high-end alcohol like Maotai and Wuliangye. For instance the price of 53 percent proof Maotai and 52 percent proof Wuliangye has reduced by some 30 percent compared to the their highest values."

 

　　Shen Danyang also points out the promotion of frugality in not in conflict with the expension of consumption. On the contrary, a greener consumption pattern is more sustainable and environmental friendly.

 

　　For CRI, I am Li Dong.