{
  "id": 3117724,
  "title": "Forcing women to drink at business dinners has no place in modern China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/forcing-women-to-drink-at-business-dinners-has-no-place-in-modern-3117724",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T21:30:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3364802/forcing-women-drink-business-dinners-has-no-place-modern-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A disturbing incident in Hangzhou has reignited conversations about the troubling norms surrounding women and alcohol consumption in modern Chinese business culture. The case involved a female employee allegedly being forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol at a business dinner, eventually leading to assault and injury at a karaoke lounge. This tragic event has sparked uncomfortable reflections on the deeply ingrained expectations placed on women in professional settings, where being able to drink and entertain guests is considered a valuable skill. The Hangzhou authorities have taken action, detaining and removing two executives from their positions over allegations of sexual assault. The incident highlights the persistence of power imbalances and the societal pressures that compel individuals, particularly women, to conform to expectations that go beyond their professional capabilities. While China has made strides in curbing excessive public displays of power through anti-corruption campaigns and regulations, the underlying dynamics surrounding business dinners and alcohol consumption remain stubbornly entrenched. The case underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to transforming power relations in professional settings, addressing not only formal regulations but also the cultural norms and hierarchies that perpetuate harmful behaviors.",
  "summary": "Reports of a female employee allegedly being assaulted at a drinking party in Hangzhou brought back a version of myself from more than a decade ago. Back then, I was one of those young women routinely invited to business dinners. Seating followed an unwritten rule, with the most powerful person taking the seat of honour, flanked by two young women. Everyone knew what we were there to do: keep the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "Forcing women to drink at business dinners has no place in modern China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/forcing-women-to-drink-at-business-dinners-has-no-place-in-modern",
        "published": "2026-08-24T21:30:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}