A toast to Moutai

Both government procurement of Moutai liqour and its selling through other channels are market behaviors and there is no suggestion of corruption or winning at public expense, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"We shouldn't naturally relate Moutai with the use of public funds. Both the government and individuals are consumers," said Li Zhanshu, party chief of Guizhou province. "I think it's not right to blame anyone when they purchase Moutai for reasonable purpose."

Li is also a deputy at the National People's Congress (NPC) session currently taking place in Beijing.

The Kweichow Moutai Co Ltd, producer of the Moutai white spirit that has been recognized as China's national liquor, is based in Guizhou province.

The public has long debated banning government and other public organizations using public funds to purchase expensive Moutai products, which have been regarded as luxurious by many. Some also believe the high purchase levels by the authorities have significantly increased the cost of Moutai.

However, Li argued that the high price of Moutai products is just a market phenomenon.

"Moutai products are commodities and are consumed by people. Although we should be against misuse and waste of public funds, we shouldn't oppose the government in purchasing an appropriate amount of them when there is a need," he said.

According to Li, Moutai's fame, quality and rich cultural connotations have made it competitive and welcome in the market and Chinese people should be proud of it instead of fearing or resisting it because of its relatively high price.