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How government crackdown has ushered in an era of ‘private’ spirits consumption in China – Market Intel

Joe Bates
Last updated: 06/10/2026 at 6:25 AM
By Joe Bates
26 May 2026
14 Min Read

‘There’s been a broader migration from formal banquet culture toward smaller, lifestyle-led occasions such as home gatherings, casual social occasions and emotionally oriented consumption.’


Chinese consumer drinking a spirit serve in a bar
Credit: Dung Lee/Pexels

The removal of the banqueting consumption occasion, rising pride in domestically-produced alcohol and a worsening international trade outlook are the main factors shaping China’s complex, multilayered market for spirits.

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The collapse of the official banquet channel has compounded a shift away from public display towards consumption in semi-private settingsTraditional baijiu operators are courting younger demographics through low-ABV innovations, lifestyle-led collaborations and D2C digital platformsScotch whisky is benefiting from a new 5% tariff reduction, while cognac faces significant pressure from minimum pricing regulationsThe guochao movement is fuelling a domestic craft revolution as patriotic younger consumers increasingly favour high-quality, locally made spiritsThe removal of the banqueting consumpti

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Joe Bates
ByJoe Bates
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Joe has been a business journalist for over 20 years, specialising in the drinks, aviation and Global Travel Retail sectors; Duty-Free News International, IWSR Magazine, Drinks International and Whisky Magazine, among others.
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