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Call for only Chinese wine to be drunk at national celebrations
Former government minister Leung Chun-ying says drinking anything other than Chinese wine at national celebrations is “inexcusable” and “unjustifiable” as he presses for mandate.
The former City Leader of Hong Kong has urged the Chinese government to make it policy that only Chinese wines are consumed on national holidays.
“I urge that consuming Chinese wines be made mandatory for all celebrations hosted by the government and the public, unless alcohol is not consumed,” Leung Chun-ying wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
Using the upcoming National Day celebrations on 1 October as an example, Chun-ying continued: “It is inexcusable and unjustifiable not to drink Chinese wines on National Day.”
Chun-ying currently sits on China’s top political advisory board, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, as vice president, meaning his voice holds some sway. He is said to be particularly fond of wines made in Ningxia, China.
Welcome move
The Wine Association of Hong Kong said it would welcome such a mandate, with its president Jacky Cheung Yiu-shing saying it would be a great opportunity for domestic winemakers to showcase their products.
However, an unnamed government spokesperson told the South China Morning Post that Chinese wines would already be served at the official celebrations.
“If wines are served at government-held events on National Day and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, China-made wines will be served,” the spokesperson said.
It is not clear from the statement whether Chinese wines will be exclusively served, or whether they will be poured alongside wines from other countries.
Celebrations for National Day of the People’s Republic of China will take place on 1 October. As well as being marked in mainland China, National Day is also honoured in Hong Kong and Macau and typically begins with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a military parade and culminating in a dazzling fireworks display.
It remembers the day in 1949 when Mao Zedong, the leader of the Red Army (communist forces), officially declared the formation of the People’s Republic of China before a crowd of 300,000 in Tiananmen Square while waving the newly created Chinese flag.
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