(File photo)

Several Chinese provincial regions have called a moratorium on alcohol consumption during official receptions in recent years. The efforts to control sanctioned drinking come amid tightened regulations for government officials in all areas of dining and entertainment.

In China, drinking culture prevails, from high-level events to ordinary family get-togethers. It is especially common at business receptions, where a final toast officially seals many deals. Etiquette also indicates that Chinese people drain their glasses when they toast to show passion and sincerity.

Nevertheless, with the issuance of a regulation requiring permission to be obtained from the local disciplinary inspection commission for drinking to occur at official receptions, northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region recently became the latest region to institute such a ban, Beijing News reported.

According to the report, most provincial regions in China already forbid drinking at lunch during weekdays, while other provinces including Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Jiangsu, Hunan and Anhui have issued regulations to expand the drinking ban to dinner.

In Heilongjiang and Jilin, no drinking is allowed at any official activity. Some regions, such as Anhui and Hunan provinces, even go so far as to specify individual alcoholic beverages on the banned list.

The Chinese central government began to regulate official receptions in December 2013, stipulating budgets for different types of official activities.