Death After Drinking Over 50-Degree Alcohol During Ideological Education in China

by Kim Eunha

Published 29 Apr.2023 09:20(KST)

Officials from local governments in China were involved in an incident where one person died after drinking over 50-degree strong liquor at their accommodation. Those present were reportedly subjected to severe disciplinary actions, including dismissal.

According to Yonhap News and others on the 29th, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission (Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission) announced on the 27th through their website that six Party officials from Qinghai Province, including Secretary Si Chunwu, were severely disciplined for violating "eight provisions of the central service regulations."

[Photo by Pixabay]

They are Qinghai Province chiefs (director-level officials). In December last year, they participated in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Party Congress), where ideological education was being conducted, but held a drinking party at their accommodation late at night.

At the drinking party led by Si Chunwu, attendees reportedly shared seven bottles of Baijiu (白酒), a traditional Chinese liquor. Baijiu, the national drink of China, is typically a strong liquor with an alcohol content exceeding 50 degrees. It comes in various types ranging from inexpensive versions favored by common people to the most expensive ones that are difficult to taste even once in a lifetime.

The day after drinking, Si Chunwu did not attend the education session, and one of the attendees was found dead in the dormitory.

The Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission, China's highest anti-corruption agency, judged the matter to be serious and did not entrust the local authorities with the investigation. In an unusual move, it conducted a direct investigation and imposed a "Shuangkai (雙開)" punishment on Si Chunwu, stripping him of Party membership and public office, while the other four received severe disciplinary measures such as dismissal.

The Discipline Inspection Commission pointed out, "The behavior of the officials during a critical period when the spirit of the Party Congress must be fully studied and promoted seriously violated the eight central provisions and discipline." It added, "Violations of discipline involving eating and drinking can lead to the 'Four Winds' (bureaucratism, formalism, hedonism, and extravagance), and in some regions, public funds are still used for eating and drinking. We must strengthen Party loyalty, correct the Party's work style, and eradicate problems related to the 'Four Winds.'"