Zhou Shaoqiang

The boss of a state-owned company in Zhuhai who was accused of ordering wine worth a total of 70,000 yuan at a meal last month claims he just ordered the wine so he could learn about it, Chinese language media report. He has since been forced to step down.

Zhou Shaoqiang, general manager of a Zhuhai SOE investment firm, told a disciplinary investigation that, although he ordered 12 bottles of luxury wine including Chateau Latour and Haut-Brion, six of them were only used as “decorative props” or to “increase his knowledge of wine.”

The disciplinary inspection team of Zhuhai’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) launched a probe in January, Shenzhen Daily reports.

Zhou has earned the online nickname of wine-learning brother.

Well actually, it is pretty decorative.

In China, jobs at State-owned companies are highly sought after due to the perks and stability. After the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, State-owned companies received much stimulus while the private sector was left to fend for itself.

This year, government departments and state-owned companies are having relatively low-key New Year celebrations because of an ongoing crackdown on corruption and widespread resentment at ostentatious displays of wealth.