This just in from China Wines Information Website: Yunnan consumed more than 400 thousand tons of alchohol last year, ranking third out of China's provinces despite having a comparatively low population of 45 million people.

What makes Yunnan one of China's heaviest-drinking provinces? We guessed it might be all the tourists that visit the province every year, but China Wines Information Website has a different theory:

"Yunnan has 25 minorities with their own wine cultures. Drinking wine is the traditional diet in Yunnan. This custom improves the development of Yunnan wine market."

Although some minorities in Yunnan are heavier drinkers than Han Chinese, we suspect that the millions of Han and foreign tourists visiting towns like Lijiang, Dali and Jinghong on holiday every year are inflating the numbers substantially.

Last week with little fanfare, Yunnan First People's Provincial Hospital and the Xishan Public Security Bureau opened China's first 'Foreigner Alcohol Detoxification Room' (境外人员醒酒治疗室).

Chinese media reports quoted Xishan police officer Zhao Jian as saying that drunk foreigners in Kunming was a growing problem and that he expected many foreigners to be escorted to the hospital for sobering up.

"Last year, there were about 10 incidents in which drunk foreigners needed police help - the year before there were hardly any," Zhao said. "Drunken incidents with foreigners are increasing rapidly, with this detoxification room we can quickly help with their drunken condition and avoid a worsening of their situation."

Foreigners picked up by police for drunkenness will now be escorted to the hospital where a team of English-speaking nurses will help them back to sobriety. Should the nurses need assistance in dealing with drunken 'lao wai', Xishan police will be available to assist.

Hospital vice-director Liu Yuming was quoted in the China Daily as saying, "Police involvement will make the handling of foreign drunkards easier."

The detoxification room is located in the hospital's intensive care unit. Foreigners receiving 'detoxification services' at the hospital will be billed for ICU services.

The hospital is located between the popular Jinma Biji Fang and Kundu bar and entertainment areas and is a short drive from the Cuihu/Yunnan University area. After a trial period, the program is expected to be extended to the entire city.

Piers Tussaud, co-owner of Wenlin Jie pub Chapter One, said the new hospital service for drunk foreigners reflects the increasingly international image of Kunming.

"I consider it a very considerate gesture by the Yunnan government," Tussaud said, "We hope to book the room soon."

According to the China Daily, 50,000 foreigners visited Kunming last year, with a total of 19 alcohol-related incidents recorded over the entire year.

Image: People's Daily Online

Good news for beer snobs in Kunming that are just as bored with Heineken, Budweiser and Carlsberg as they are with skunky Tsingtao, Dali and Lancangjiang: Beerlao has returned again, for what will certainly be a limited time.

Chapter One has once again procured a shipment of what in this site's humble opinion is one of Asia's best beers, although Chapter One co-owner Piers says the stock of Beerlao this time around is smaller than before.

Aside from Chapter One, there should also be a short-term supply of the tasty brew at other locations including Salvador's Coffee House and Speakeasy