The zuoyi gesture, making a bow with hands folded in front, is widely promoted during the "two sessions"－meetings of the local legislative and political consultative bodies－in counties and districts of Quzhou, Zhejiang province, to replace shaking hands when greeting each other, on April 22, 2020. [Photo/China Daily]

People in China are becoming more aware of the importance of promoting healthier dining habits and forms of greeting due to the social distancing requirements prompted by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Cities in Zhejiang province, where the annual "two sessions"－meetings of the local legislative and political consultative bodies－are starting to take place these days, are trying to advocate good habits to help safeguard personal and public health during these meetings.

During the "two sessions" in Wenzhou, which opened on Tuesday, participants have been presented with a spoon and a pair of chopsticks in their meeting kits this year in addition to the normal materials.

According to the city authorities, more than 1,000 sets of spoons and chopsticks were prepared for attendees of the sessions and the local authorities hope this could help increase public awareness for forming good habits at the dining table, which will help guard against the transmission of diseases.

Su Likun, a member of the fourth session of the 11th Wenzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said this measure reflects ancient Chinese etiquette and will better protect people's health. "Families should also be advised to take this measure for better health in the future, not merely for virus containment at present," he said.

Quzhou, another city in Zhejiang, has drawn inspiration from traditional Chinese culture to greet each other when keeping a safe distance, instead of shaking hands.

The zuoyi gesture, making a bow with hands folded in front, is an ancient greeting gesture which dates back more than 3,000 years. Now, it is widely promoted during the "two sessions" in counties and districts of Quzhou, home to part of Confucius's descendants, to replace shaking hands when greeting each other.

Zhou Hongbo, director of Quzhou's civilization office, said the greeting can be seen everywhere during the meetings and has become a new trend in the city.

The Quzhou government is also promoting the greeting in the city's 117 schools, which resumed classes this week.

Fang Junjun, a CPPCC member in Quzhou's Longyou county, said the gesture can help curb the spread of the virus.

Qin Jirong contributed to this story.