MAOTAI, a favored liquor for Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong, has long been rare and precious for ordinary Chinese people. However, it is now becoming affordable and available to everyone.

　　The liquor’s success has relied on prestige rather than advertising. In a country that loves its liquor Chinese people have long been familiar with the name — one of the three most famous brands in the world — but until recently rarely had the chance to drink it.

　　But in a growing market economy, its distillers are thinking more of profit than politics.

　　Not only Mao, but other former leaders including Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai also loved Maotai. Traditionally, the liquor has been used officially to feast foreign heads of state and distinguished guests visiting China. It is the only alcohol presented as official gifts by Chinese embassies.

　　A native product of Guizhou Province in Southwest China, what has become known as the “mother of all Chinese liquors” was originally produced by three private workshops, which later merged into the State-owned Maotai Liquor Plant after the founding of New China in 1949. Maotai liquor was acclaimed a national liquor in 1951.

　　“Throughout the world, few commodities have the close relationship Maotai does with politics,” said Yuan Renguo, general manager of the Maotai Group.

　　“Maotai liquor has played a very important role in China’s political life and diplomatic affairs. And that is the Chinese characteristic of the alcohol.”

　　For this reason, the Maotai distillery never advertised its products for many years. Under the planned economic system, the liquor was designed for special purpose and common people almost had no chance to drink it. Quite often, people had to obtain a written permit from the leaders before they could buy the liquor.

　　Now, however, the Maotai distillery has not only appeared on TV and in newspapers, but has also sponsored various welfare events and entertainment activities.

　　The reason is that Maotai people have begun thinking more about profits than political honors in tandem with the rapid development of a market economy in China. In addition, fierce competition in the liquor industry poses a grave challenge to its status as a national liquor.

　　“We must aim at the needs of common people,” said Yuan.

　　“We should no longer stress that Maotai is a political liquor.”

　　Recently, the distillery announced plans to expand its production capacity from 6,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes annually, and to produce beer and red wine. The Maotai distillery has taken over another liquor plant in Guizhou to expand production.

　　At the same time, Maotai is varying its products to meet the demand of different consumer groups.

　　“The development history of Maotai distillery is actually that of China,” Yuan said.

　　(Xinhua)