Hotels that will play host to official guests during the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event in Beijing November 3-12 will be required to source their foodstuffs from 20 designated providers, state media reported Wednesday.
Beijing roast duck purveyor Quanjude was the only one of the 20 identified by name. An obvious choice given its history, although the Beijinger readers named Da Dong Roast Duck as their favorite in 2013 and 2014.
Primary among the organizers’ concerns is the provision of halal food and beverages, prepared in accordance with Islamic Shariʻah law.
"Fan Bao, deputy director at the Beijing Ethnic Affairs Commission, said it still has a lot to improve in terms of halal food preparation.
"’I have to say the standard of Beijing’s halal food is way lower than the international standard.’" Fan said.
The 34 hotels, of which the Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing and other Kempinski-run hotels at Yanqi Lake are central, are also not allowed to sell beauty and hair supplies during APEC. Don’t forget your toothbrush!
This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on October 22, 2014.
Photo: Kempinski Hotels and Resorts
