'Operation empty plate': Xi Jinping makes food waste his next target

Restaurant diners told to order one dish less than number of people under new system criticised as overly controlling

The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, has launched a campaign targeting a new enemy of the country: food waste.

Waste is shameful and thriftiness is honourable," Xi said in a speech published on Tuesday, describing the amount of food that goes to waste in the country as shocking and distressing", according to the state news agency Xinhua.