Quanjude, China's oldest Peking duck restaurant chain, recently announced its plan to switch to using electric ovens to replace traditional hand-roasting methods. The move is aimed at maintaining food quality while allowing the company to expand its business in China.

However, many worry the roasted ducks will lose the firewood flavor, and computer-controlled roasting process may not be as delicate as what an experienced chef can do. Many also consider the chef-monitored roasting technique, passed on for over 140 years, to be the essence of the Quanjude tradition and part of Beijing's culture. Computerized production may diminish the brand's luster.

An opinion from Workers' Daily does not agree with these sentiments. The author argues that it is not realistic for people living outside Beijing to come to the capital for the Peking duck whenever they want to have some. With the help of electric ovens, this will no longer be a problem. People living far from Beijing will also have to chance to eat Peking ducks easily.

The paper says people do not really go to Quanjude for the tradition or the culture. If they go there only for the delicious ducks, then the electric oven is a solution. If Quanjude can become the Chinese McDonald's and be seen everywhere in China, then why not? The article says.