Trainees learn to make Shaxian snacks at a training center in Sanming City, east China's Fujian Province, Nov. 23, 2020.(Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

BEIJING, May 30  -- Taking a stroll in a Chinese city, big or small, one is likely to encounter restaurants under a popular red Pac-Man-like logo -- Shaxian Delicacies, a sign indicating palatable foods for reasonable prices.

Originating in a rural county in Sanming, Fujian Province, Shaxian food has evolved from a local street delicacy to a nationwide sensation, with franchises spread across the country.

Yu Guangqing was among the pioneering locals who ventured into taking the local snacks beyond their region between the late 1980s and early 1990s.

According to him, the remarkable rise of this unique food industry has received the support and encouragement of President Xi Jinping during his tenure as a provincial leader of Fujian.

From 1996 to 2002, Xi made 11 fact-finding trips to Sanming. During that time, the demand for affordable yet flavorful fast food surged due to the rapid increase in the migrant worker population in cities. Shaxian eateries emerged on the streets of major cities, offering dishes like peanut butter noodles, wontons, fried rice noodles, and meat soup.

In 1999, Xi visited Shaxian and recognized the niche market that Shaxian delicacies had captured. To maximize their business potential, Xi emphasized the importance of conducting extensive market research and giving increased attention to training of relevant personnel.

The following year, he visited Shaxian again. Conversing with locals, Xi said Shaxian must turn its distinctive food industry into a new economic growth engine.