After a series of incidents involving officials dying due to alcohol abuse, the Chinese Communist authorities have implemented a new “liquor ban” in response. This crackdown on banquets has led to backlash not only from within government ranks but also from the business sector, which is suffering from a significant drop in restaurant patronage. State media outlets in China are blaming local officials for being lazy and not enforcing policies properly, highlighting the deep-rooted corruption and rigidity within the entire Communist system.
In the past two years, there have been frequent reports of Chinese officials dying from excessive drinking at gatherings, with three recent cases coming to light. In one incident on March 22nd, 10 officials in Henan province drank 4 bottles of liquor together, leading to the death of one individual later that afternoon. Similarly, on April 5th, Luo Panjun, the head of the United Front Work Department in Huangmei County, Hubei Province, died after drinking at a gathering. Wu Xingzhou, the deputy secretary of the Qianling Township Party Committee in Susong County, Anqing City, Anhui Province, died in the early hours of the next day after drinking with several officials on April 27th.
In response to these incidents, authorities have launched a sweeping campaign to crack down on banquets, issuing what they claim to be the “strictest regulations in history.” In May, the Chinese State Council amended the “Anti-Waste Regulation,” stipulating that alcoholic beverages should no longer be provided at official receptions. A key provision states that “work meals should not include cigarettes or alcohol,” upgrading the previous limitations on “high-end alcohol” to a comprehensive ban on alcohol consumption, which now extends to state-owned enterprises and institutions.
Local authorities have since intensified their efforts by implementing additional measures such as a ban on alcohol consumption for public officials in Yunnan, the issuance of “five alcohol bans” in Chongqing’s Shapingba District, the enforcement of penalties for drinking violations in Yanqing District, Beijing, as well as public supervision campaigns in Bijie, Guizhou. Henan has also declared a policy of instant penalties for unauthorized banquets and drinking.
Recently, there has been a leaked internal report from a rural commercial bank in Anhui province, revealing that two bank managers were fined 3,000 RMB each for consuming noodles paid for by customers at a noodle shop, costing around 10 RMB per bowl. There have also been reports of a water and electricity management official in Anhui being criticized for consuming self-brewed wine in their dormitory.
The comprehensive liquor ban has sparked discussions on social media platforms, with a civil servant from Anhui sharing that alcohol testing is now being conducted daily in their department. Another civil servant from Shandong revealed, “Three of us went out for hotpot at noon and each received a warning punishment.”
In Hubei, a netizen commented, “Our unit clearly stated that we can only have meals with our immediate family members and not participate in family gatherings, class reunions, hometown gatherings, wedding banquets, or graduation dinners. We can only have meals with our immediate family members and are not allowed to socialize further. That’s the way it is.”
There have been rumors circulating in certain areas demanding strict rules: No banquets, no alcohol consumption, no visiting neighbors, and no socializing; go straight to work or head home directly.
Many insiders of the system have complained about excessive restrictions on their personal lives.
Under the crackdown on banquets by authorities, A-share liquor stocks have been under pressure for the past month, with both the China Securities White Wine Index and Maotai from Guizhou province plummeting by approximately ten percent.
The restaurant industry has been hit particularly hard. Restaurant owner and blogger “Laotu” remarked that sales on Fridays were only half of usual, making it tough for those in the dining business, all of which is related to the official liquor ban.
“With this liquor ban in place, I’m feeling somewhat depressed, and bankruptcy might not be far off. Even if Maotai were to hold a shareholder meeting, they’d only be able to serve buffet-style meals without alcohol. The same applies to insurance companies, many of which are state-owned. Furthermore, public security and judicial departments, military units, public institutions, hospitals, schools, banks, and even community workers are subject to restrictions,” said Laotu.
He described how business has halved recently, leading to many establishments closing down. It seems that restaurants will have to remove all alcoholic beverages and drinks from their shelves, leaving customers with only tea or plain water. Diners would have to suffice with just a meal; otherwise, the burden would be too much.
Laotu also noted that in the past, offering discounted meal packages was a way to attract customers and generate additional revenue through alcohol sales. Particularly in bars and high-end restaurants, the profit from a single drink could cover the cost of several dishes. The liquor ban has effectively cut down this lucrative source of income, driving patrons away from restaurants and bars.
Another food and beverage blogger, “Guiyang Huān Huān,” lamented that the restaurant industry is on the brink of collapse. All types of alcohol, including white wine, red wine, and beer, are prohibited at business gatherings, causing significant disruptions to the restaurant and entertainment sectors, including KTVs and bars. Additionally, the loss of this core consumer group is a major blow to businesses.
“大連江哥,” another blogger, stated that the impact of the liquor ban on the catering industry is devastating. “Those in the catering industry know how bad business has been lately, not to mention how low the profit margins are for various set meals now. The most profitable items are no longer available.”
“Shanghai Pudong Hotel Lao Yao” shared on social media that not only official banquets but now all “teacher appreciation banquets” and “celebratory dinners” have been eliminated. A hotel owner from Anhui expressed frustration, stating that all scheduled “teacher appreciation banquets” for four days were canceled.
Some restaurant owners have remarked that the effects of the new liquor ban are even harsher than the pandemic.
Regarding the backlash from the government and industry, the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Daily recently criticized local officials for equating “banning misconduct at banquets” with simply “banning banquets,” calling it a lazy and formalistic approach that has not only harmed businesses but also dimmed the livelihoods of the people.
Current affairs commentator Li Linyi told Dajiyuan that the corruption within the Chinese Communist system is systemic, with officials accustomed to lavish banquets. The dilemma with such bans is that if they are enforced, the government will collapse while not implementing them will mean the economy suffers. With officials and the industry pushing back, the central government in Beijing seems unable to contain the situation and is instead blaming local authorities. This outcome is a result of the systemic corruption and ideological politicization within the entire Chinese Communist system, which appears to be beyond repair.
Historian Li Yuanhua, currently residing in Australia, stated in a recent interview with New Tang Dynasty Television that using public funds for dining and drinking was not acceptable, making the current policies implemented by the Communist regime appear ridiculous. The Communist Party has historically valued the culture of drinking at gatherings, but the current measures seem to be driven by financial constraints, providing an opportunity to crack down on such practices.
Many local governments openly claim that these prohibitions are aimed at preventing collusion and factionalism.
Li Linyi mentioned that the introduction of liquor bans is another strategic move by the Communist authorities, as the issues of corruption and officials keeping mistresses are much more severe but have not been addressed as vigorously. With the Communist regime facing a precarious situation, officials fear that discussions during banquets could touch on sensitive political topics. Xi Jinping, the top leader of the Communist Party, is known to enjoy alcohol, especially the expensive Maotai liquor, leading officials to resent being deprived of drinking privileges.