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This paper discusses the history and operation of the tegong (special supplies) system for foodstuffs operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The system has been in existence since the Yan'an period and is still being practiced today. It was originally introduced to deal with China's shortage economy during the era of Mao Zedong. Nowadays, the issue of food safety has made China a risk society, making it necessary for the CCP to provide its privileged class with food that is safe for consumption. We distinguish two categories of food supplies in terms of their operation: dedicated supplies for special needs and routine tegong. In addition, we believe that an alliance relationship between the government and food enterprises has emerged within the tegong system, with government officials and businesses colluding to their mutual benefit and profit. The paper concludes that the continuation of the tegong system signifies the persistence of a high degree of social inequality in modern-day China.
KEYWORDS: Food safety; privileged class; risk society; social inequality; tegong.
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In recent years, food safety issues have become a national concern in China (Yang, 2013). Although government departments have tried to strengthen food safety regulations (Liu et al., 2013; Tam & Yang, 2005), these efforts have not achieved any significant outcome. Toxic food products continue to be available throughout China, compounding the food safety issue.1 In an attempt to minimize potential health hazards, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has provided its privileged class with tegong ... , special supplies of food) (Yan, 2012, p. 723). The tegong system was adopted from the Soviet Union, which from its inception provided its government officials with daily necessities according to their respective grades. The higher the position, the better the benefits received (O'Clery, 2011, pp. 34-35).2 The CCP implemented a tegong system based on the Soviet model as early as the Yan'an period, providing its cadres with household items of better quality. Some Party members wrote papers criticizing the practice, stating that it violated the ideology of equality embodied in Marxism (Chen, 2011, p. 156). Despite these protests, however, the system continued to develop in the country and it persists to this day.3
Tegong is a sensitive and confidential subject for the...