For the first thirty years after 1949, Chinese people often went hungry because of poor economic conditions, while any food that could be bought had to be purchased with coupons issued by the government. Everyone’s life looked similar at that time; indeed, they wore the same clothes, ate the same foods and even used the same types of furniture. However, they also shared a common hope: to one day be able to eat well.

Pork coupon in 1961