China is building numerous supply and marketing co-ops and community services, such as, canteens, throughout the nation. Experts believe that Beijing is preparing to decouple from the world economy by firming up control of its food and supplies, and some see the campaign as a sign of preparing for a war economy.
After the 20th Party congress in October, the director of the Co-ops Council, Liang Huiling, was promoted to the 20th central committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This was followed by the Chinese media widely reporting on the establishment of various types of Co-ops nationwide.
