AN online nationwide “Clear Your Plate” campaign against wasting food is gaining steam in China.

Social media users are invited to share photos or videos of empty plates after finishing their meals on Weibo, a popular social media platform, where fighting food waste is among the hottest topics.

Media outlets, government agencies, social organizations and Internet influencers have joined the online relay of messages against wasting food, which has been warmly met by netizens.

“Do not waste a grain of food,” read a Weibo post by People’s Daily, which has recently launched an “Empty Plate Challenge” online jointly with the platform. “The ‘Clear Your Plate’ campaign has become the trend of the day!”

Food wasted by Chinese consumers each year is sufficient to feed millions of people, according to data widely circulated through social media posts. Diners are advised to order no more food than they can eat.

By the evening of Aug. 14, the campaign, with the hashtag of Guang Pan Xing Dong, or “Clear Your Plate,” had generated around 870,000 posts and 550 million views on Weibo. It also saw rising criticism online over eating shows that encourage wasting food.

Online shows and livestreaming services have been instructed to ban shows that encourage food-wasting, the China Association of Performing Arts said last week.

A CAPA notice reminded anchors of food-related livestreaming shows to avoid pursuing excessive entertainment and the wasting of food to attract viewers’ attention.

China’s restaurant industry will also step up to stop food waste and promote thrift, according to a proposal jointly issued by several associations in related sectors. (Xinhua)