Ever since China opened up to the world in 1980's, the Shanghai Municipal Government, led by the Communist Party of China and the State Council, makes great effort to build the city into an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center. With the cooperation and hardwork of Shanghai people, the city is progressing to its goal as a global metropolitan. The new team of leaders of the Shanghai government took office in February 2003. "The power of the government is entrusted by the people; the interest of people is above all," as Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng promise in his inaugural. Guided by the Shanghai Party Committee, the city's new leadership vows to strictly perform its official duties; to make significant progress in self-improvement, and to intensify the shift of its role from administrative to public service. The Shanghai government will build itself into a service government that would share with the people all their happiness and troubles; a solid responsible government that is efficient, honest and diligent; a law-abiding government that respects legal system and rules strictly and impartially.

Experience "Clearly-listed Check". Starting From June 1, Catering Companies Are Required To Provide Clearly-listed Check

11/23/2004

According to relevant regulation of Shanghai pricing departments, starting from June 1, 2004, all catering companies that provide meal in their venues are required to provide clearly-listed checks to customers. On June 1, the first day with the regulation was adopted, we visited several restaurants in Shanghai and found that only a certain part of them began to provide checks clearly listing all the things that customers ordered. Most of the restaurants didn't care too much about the new regulation. Some simply said that they had no idea of such a regulation. Situation in various restaurants differ a lot.

Most large restaurants or those in downtown areas provided clearly-listed checks in the noon, we ordered a set meal in a restaurant called "Jack's Place" in Grand Gateway Department Store. When we asked for check, the waitress gave us a printed list, indicating clearly the price and amount of the set meal and the time, date, table number, number of clients and name of waitress. In Shanghai Merrilin Restaurant, Miss Shi and her friend had just asked for check. She told the journalist, "Everything is clearly listed on the check, including the price of beverage and each course. Although I won't check one y one, such a clearly-listed check makes me feel the restaurant is reliable." Shanghai Food and Catering Industry Association also carried out some inspections in some other restaurants in Shanghai, including Zhengshengji, New Shen Ji, Sheng Jia Garden, Lai Tian Hua and Mei Yuan.

Most of the 30,000 restaurants in Shanghai are only small ones on the streets and it is difficult for these restaurants to write or print their checks in accordance with the new regulation. On June 1, we walked along An Shun Road and found there are more than a dozen small restaurants that provide no venue for meal. Apart from Gao Ding Chicken and Monday Restaurants, which can print out a clear list from their cashier, there were no other restaurants that can provide a clear list. In a restaurant in a hotel on u Tai Road of Bao Shan District, the waitress said she had never heard of this regulation. She said she had no idea that restaurants had to provide a clear list to customers since June 1. Upon check, the waitress still didn't fail to provide a clear list. There were a few small restaurants that refused to provide clear lists saying that their printer broke down.

In face of such a situation, Shanghai Municipal Price Supervision Administration said that it had expected it would take a longer period before all restaurants could do so. Therefore, it decided to include this into its regular inspection. It hoped that restaurants should comply with the regulation gradually and customers could call "12358" price hotline if they were not provided with a clear list. Relevant departments will fine those rule-breaking enterprises.
The Shanghai government 2006