A restaurant in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has sparked great controversy among locals after requiring its clients to pay an additional one yuan (13 US cents) for sterilizing tableware.

The restaurant, which lies in the city's busy Luohu District, has become the first in the province to charge its clients special dinner-set sterilizing fees.

Many local residents have complained that the restaurant was collecting extra fees from its clients. The restaurant, however, argued that it had to spend additional money for electricity and water charges to sterilize its tableware.

The restaurant refuses to provide sterilized tissues and towels since it offers the sterilized tableware. Its business has been reported to be brisk.

Southern Metropolis News