Wenzhou authorities have vowed to simplify licensing procedures for charity groups that want to offer residents free food and drink.

The city in Zhejiang province, one of China's richest, has a centuries-old tradition of altruism, and today it has at least 1,600 small, independently run street stalls that provide passers-by with simple dishes or tea.

But since the city government introduced a permit requirement early this year to standardize the sector, just one group has successfully applied.