In China, most of the young people don't like to drink but drinking has become a custom in the business environment of China nowadays. Market research observed that a few companies also draw up guidelines about drinkingwhich is becoming essential for employment.
Necessity rather than requirement.
Most senior people take drinking as a business etiquette than habit. If seems that if one has to move higher in a profession then it is a must that they drink. It has been noticed by employees Chinese companies that whoever has a big drinking capacity will be promoted very quickly in some cases.
Drinking is a big connector in the business world and it can get desired results. Once a person gets selected to drink one has to be prepared to handle 250-500 ml of Baijiu (Chinese Wine made from grain). Chinese people usually stop after one or two drinks in business meetings but the reverse of this is also possible if someone is forced to drink.
Past habits.
Research has been made since 80's about Chinese drinking habits and it shows that heavy to moderate drinking is in and out often. Playing games, making fun, drinking related bets and other forms of enjoyment along with drinking has been common over the years for Chinese people. In recent times, drinking habits have increased substantially because the opening of the Chinese economy resulted in increased income, interaction with the western world and money spending power of a new Chinese generation.In modern times drinking has become frequent and 5 - 7 days a week, excessive drinking and binge drinking has become part of new Chinese culture.
In Mainland China, only 56% of men drink and 15% of woman are drinkers But the majority of them are binge drinkers.
Creates personal problems.
As per WHO's report,drinking has not caused any social problems in China but it has created more personal problems like lung and other related diseases which prevail also in Britain and Japan.
Police have caught and fined over one million youngsters and drunkards last year, but street fights and another misbehavior like urinating in public has not occurred and that's a good point to note.
Health.
Health is a major issue for affluent Chinese as they think that heavy drinking is avoidable on the ground that it causes serious troubles.
It will take a time for change to take place as business people often have to drink with their clients on a regular basis, which creates some serious health concerns if drinking is frequent.
Recent times.
Previously drinking was part of wedding ceremonies, spring festivals and birthday parties but the recent surge in economic activities has made it compulsory for some of the business people to drink. Drinking has also become part of relieving stress, depression and keeping harmony between superior and bosses. It has become common to keep social relations alive and going out for dinner casually has also added to drinking pattern of Chinese. Chinese people drinks all type of alcohol there is a steady rise in it.
China has become one of the largest beer producing country in the world. Wine production has also increased to substantial levels recently. Consumption of alcohol has increased immensely from 0.4 litres in 1952 to 2.5 litres in 1990's and to 4.9 litres in 2009.
Illegal production.
There are also cases reported of illegal alcohol production Illegal production is mainly carried out in a rural area where poorer people are unconcerned about any socio-political effects of it..
