The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region government recently issued a prohibition order banning alcoholic beverages at official receptions. In the past two years, provincial governments in Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Jiangsu, Hunan and Anhui have issued the same order.

According to the Xinjiang government, some special cases, for example foreign affairs receptions or those for investors, can be exceptions to the rule provided the disciplinary department approves of it.

In late 2013, the central government issued a directive making clear in detail the requirements for official receptions. The directive, along with a previous austerity regulation of the Party, prompted local governments to ban alcoholic beverages at official banquets.

The prohibition order has been welcomed by the public. But many doubt whether the order will be effectively enforced. In some places, it is a common practice among civil servants to empty water bottles and fill them up with liquor at official banquets to bypass the prohibition rule. And restaurants and hotels readily replace liquor with tea or some other expensive beverage on the bill, allowing those officials to get reimbursements from the financial department.

Some people suggest the prohibition order should give citizens the right to report to the disciplinary department any violation of the prohibition order by officials at public receptions. If the authorities really have zero tolerance toward liquor being served at official banquets, they should seriously consider that suggestion.