US fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) launches a rice dish on its menu today at some of its outlets in north China to attract more Chinese diners, the Shanghai Morning Post reported.

The outlets that are introducing more local flavors are located in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Harbin, Qingdao and Zhengzhou.

A different Chinese dish catering for Shanghai tastes is to be launched in KFC outlets in the city in the next six months, according to Tricon China, KFC's operator, and the Chinese unit of US-based Tricon Global Restaurants Inc.

The company does not rule out the introduction of rice dishes to the Shanghai market.

"The final decision will be made based on the success of the new dish in the northern markets," said Xu Zhen, spokesperson with Trican China.

"If it performs well there, we may consider introducing it into Shanghai," he added.

( eastday.com April 15, 2002)