China: Beer imports up 9% in January � May this year

Despite the historical preeminence of local liquor baijiu, China has also long had a taste for beer. Chinese domestic beers are known for being light and easy to drink. But consumer tastes appear to be shifting, ecns reported on August 10.

Traditionally, domestic brewers have dominated the Chinese beer market. But now it appears that imported beers are becoming more popular.

This year, that trend continues, with foreign beer imports in China up 9 percent through the end of May. Meanwhile, the country's domestic beer production has been steadily dropping around 3.5 percent every year since 2014.

However, not everyone is worried about the rise in consumption of overseas brands. Vice president of Pinlive Foods, Zhao Yuning, noted that imported beers made up just 1.4 percent of China's total beer consumption last year, adding that he doesn't think that will have a significant impact on the domestic beer industry.