No, public intoxication is not explicitly criminalized in China, but local regulations and public security measures impose strict controls. While the national Penal Code lacks a specific offense, municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) ordinances and the 2021 Public Security Administration Punishments Law empower officers to detain intoxicated individuals disrupting public order. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Law on the Protection of Minors further tighten alcohol access near schools, reflecting a broader zero-tolerance stance toward public disorder linked to intoxication.
Key Regulations for Public Intoxication in China
- Public Security Administration Punishments Law (2021, amended 2024): Grants PSB officers discretion to detain individuals “intoxicated to the point of endangering public safety or disrupting social order,” even without criminal charges.
- Local Municipal Ordinances: Cities like Beijing and Shanghai enforce public order maintenance regulations, prohibiting intoxicated behavior in streets, parks, or public transport, with fines up to ¥500 (≈$70) or administrative detention.
- 2026 Alcohol Control Proposals: Draft amendments to the Law on the Protection of Minors and Food Safety Law aim to restrict alcohol sales near educational institutions, indirectly curbing public intoxication risks among youth.