Drink or Else? Serve Only China Wine for National Day, says ex-Hong Kong Leader

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Former head of Hong Kong Leung Chun-Ying has called for all government and private celebrations in the city to feature local wine on National Day, which falls on October 1.

Leung has been particularly tied to Ningxia wine, supporting the region at Hong Kong-based events, including trade fairs, and leading delegations there. During a trip in 2019, he stated, “Chinese people drink Chinese wine.”

Per South China Morning Post:

“‘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] wrote on his Facebook account on Sunday. ‘It is inexcusable and unjustifiable not to drink Chinese wines on National Day.’”

Also: “A government spokesman told the Post that Chinese wines would be served at celebrations for National Day.

(Reader comments ranged from praise for promoting Chinese goods to criticism the initiative seems heavy-handed to a snarky reader who said official events need no alcohol at all.)

Meanwhile a Hong Kong Standard editorial stated some organizers might feel pressured to feature local wine given the influence of Leung, who is vice chair on the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

“Will community leaders take the lead and turn their backs on imported wines that account for a major share of the local market?,” stated the editorial. “This could send a mixed signal to overseas business people that they are not welcome.”

Panda Diplomacy?

Leung also held a banquet this week for the Sharing Foundation, which he chairs, and stressed Chinese wine, with Helan Qingxue from Ningxia the only winery featured. Helan Qingxue is best-known for bringing foreign recognition to Chinese wine when Decanter gave it an “international trophy” during the magazine’s 2011 awards.

Also per HK01, Leung suggested creating wines from China that featured images of the Hong Kong pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, which recently became the parents of twins. Panda diplomacy in action!

Wine Struggles

Leung’s calls comes as the local wine sector has faced years of declining production and stagnating sales while at the time seeing an impressive increase in quality and diversity. And seeing some hope in a growing pride in national goods and accomplishments, from local fashion to phone brands to the high-speed rail system.

Some hoped tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 would open the door for such local wine to serve as a replacement, especially in the lucrative banqueting and gifting sector, but the overall situation has worsened.

Would a Hong Kong campaign help Chinese wine? Perhaps, as it would raise its profile in a market that SCMP states sees only 10 percent of sales going to local producers. But quality Chinese wine is already seeing its reputation rise and one could argue it might be best to allow market forces to do the work rather than trying to force the issue.

In any case, look for more Chinese wine than ever to be at office gatherings this National Day.

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