This Day, That Year

Editor’s Note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy.

Founded in 1864 during the Qing Dynasty (16441911), Quanjude is one of the country’s most renowned roast duck restaurants.

The company became a corporate group in 1993 and was named a China Renowned Trademark by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce on Jan 18, 1999.

It went public in 2007 on the Shenzhen bourse to support its goal of growing into an international brand.

It now operates more than 30 restaurants nationwide and has opened several franchised outlets outside China.

Since foreign food and beverage giants entered China in the 1990s, some of the major Chinese brands have been trying to keep their market share by launching new products.

They have also invested in new technologies and revamped marketing strategies.

In order to take advantage of the e-commerce boom, Quanjude Group launched an online shop on Tmall in 2013. Clients can buy roast ducks in gift sets as well as other duck products, cakes and snacks.

The pastry maker Daoxiangcun, 245 years long in the tooth, has added more than 10 flavors to its old-fashioned mooncake collection.

Besides endeavors to keep abreast of modern developments of the traditional brands, authorities have revitalized time-honored brands.

The Ministry of Commerce has released more than 1,000 such brands, or laozihao. The companies date back about 160 years on average.