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Yet another local official drinks himself to death in booze culture
By Wu Jiayin |
July 29, 2009, Wednesday
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Print Edition
ONE of the most horrible ways of dying is from alcohol poisoning - and it's even more shocking when it happens at work, as part of a business drinking culture.
This "culture" is especially perverted among many local governments and it has claimed yet another life, this one in Wuhan, Hubei Province.
Jin Guoqing, deputy director of Water Resources Bureau of Xinzhou District, was reported to have died of heart attack triggered by excessive drinking during a business lunch on July 13. The case is under investigation.
Ironically, as early as 2005, Xinzhou District prohibited local officials from drinking during work hours.
Last year, Guo Shizhong, a government official of Xin County in Henan Province, was reported to have died from alcohol poisoning after heavy drinking at a dinner with other local officials.
The same thing happened in 2004 in Yunnan Province when a Huaning County official surnamed Jia drank himself to death while partying.
The officials themselves are no doubt to blame for their own deaths. Another culprit is the unwritten rule in many regions that drinking is a primary skill in business entertainment. Shanghai is one of the few exceptions, as people here generally don't force alcohol down your throat on business and other occasions.
It is the general practice, however, that one must drink at least one whole glass of alcohol in honor of each of his or her bosses. Otherwise, one is considered disrespectful and this could damage one's chances of promotion by those leaders.
Indeed, it is this pervasive mentality equating the ability to drink with one's moral character or capability that drives so many local officials to drink, regardless of their health, or even their life.
This "culture" is especially perverted among many local governments and it has claimed yet another life, this one in Wuhan, Hubei Province.
Jin Guoqing, deputy director of Water Resources Bureau of Xinzhou District, was reported to have died of heart attack triggered by excessive drinking during a business lunch on July 13. The case is under investigation.
Ironically, as early as 2005, Xinzhou District prohibited local officials from drinking during work hours.
Last year, Guo Shizhong, a government official of Xin County in Henan Province, was reported to have died from alcohol poisoning after heavy drinking at a dinner with other local officials.
The same thing happened in 2004 in Yunnan Province when a Huaning County official surnamed Jia drank himself to death while partying.
The officials themselves are no doubt to blame for their own deaths. Another culprit is the unwritten rule in many regions that drinking is a primary skill in business entertainment. Shanghai is one of the few exceptions, as people here generally don't force alcohol down your throat on business and other occasions.
It is the general practice, however, that one must drink at least one whole glass of alcohol in honor of each of his or her bosses. Otherwise, one is considered disrespectful and this could damage one's chances of promotion by those leaders.
Indeed, it is this pervasive mentality equating the ability to drink with one's moral character or capability that drives so many local officials to drink, regardless of their health, or even their life.
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