RESTAURANTS in Luohu District will face a fine of up to 5,000 yuan (US$714) if they fail to post prices of tea, appetizers, paper napkins and disinfected tableware in conspicuous places, according to a new rule recently issued by authorities in Luohu.

    The new rule, the first of its kind in China, will affect more than 5,000 eateries in the district.

    Diners should be notified of the prices, otherwise it will be in violation of Chinese law, officials with the Luohu district administration for industry and commerce were quoted by Thursday’s Shenzhen Economic Daily as saying.

    Administration staff will distribute circulars during the coming May Day holiday, urging restaurant operators to abide by the new rule. An inspection will be carried out during the holiday to see how well the new rule has been implemented.

    Restaurant operators have been advised to print the prices of tea, appetizers, paper napkins and disinfected tableware on a piece of paper and place it in a conspicuous place on a table. “Some eateries mark these prices on the last page of a menu, which can often be overlooked by consumers,” said an unnamed official with the administration.

    Diners who have been forced to pay for appetizers and paper napkins can complain to the industrial and commercial authority by presenting receipts. Offenders will be fined twice the amount of their illegal earnings.

    (Eunice Kang)