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And U.S. Vice-President Biden's trip to China largely focused on economic ties between the two powers. But the trip itself gave a sizeable economic boost to one Beijing eatery. Here's more.
U.S. trade policy toward China has long focused on the need for more domestic consumption in the Chinese market. Now, in a small way, Vice President Biden's recent trip to China itself seems to have led to increased consumption—of black bean sauce noodles, at least.
Biden and his entourage stopped for lunch at the Beijing restaurant Yao's Chao Gan on Thursday. Since then, business is seriously booming at the fairly small eatery, which focuses on traditional local cuisine.
Chinese diners are even queuing up to sample the 'Biden set', a 79 RMB or 12 and a half USD meal of five bowls of black bean sauce noodles, 10 steamed buns, smashed cucumber salad, mountain yam salad, shredded potatoes and Coca Cola.
[...]
[Yao Yan, Owner, Yao's Chao Gan]:
"The U.S. vice president, Joe Biden, came to my restaurant for lunch just as an ordinary customer. We treated him like an everyday guest who came from far away. We didn't give him any discount or special offers."
Part of the curiosity stems from the fact that the meal, while not necessarily "cheap" by Chinese standards, hardly resembles the lavish, luxury banquets of high ranking Communist Party officials.
Biden's more down-to-Earth and accessible style might be at the root of this unique form of tribute. It seems to have had an effect even on those visiting from more remote parts of China.
[Mr. Wu, Inner Mongolian Tourist]:
"I travelled from Inner Mongolia to Beijing. Taxi driver told me this restaurant was very famous because the U.S. vice president just came for lunch a few days ago. So we are here particularly to try what he ate."