I was delighted to read on Imagethief today that China is imposing a 5% consumption tax on disposable chopsticks and other products. This delight stems from several factors, not the least of which is that other people read the China Daily so I don’t have to. I wholeheartedly support the Chinese government’s new taxes, which will hopefully remove the scourge of low-grade splintery chopsticks from local eateries and fingers. Thankfully, living in landlocked Beijing, I am safely insulated from the new taxes on luxury yachts.

It was explained to me last year that disposable chopsticks are a relatively recent addition to the Chinese restaurant scene, with the Japanese to thank for their introduction. Now we are safe from Japanese influences, but are at the mercy of the dishwashers at 成都小吃, the ubiquitous and grungy Sichuan fast food joint.

Update: As Imagethief helpfully points out, the solution to the now-inevitable dishwashing problems — and disposable chopsticks in general — is to BYO. A great post at Bingfeng Teahouse has more.