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Zhang Guoqiang, deputy to the NPC from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, poses during this year's two sessions. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Zhang Guoqiang, deputy to the National People's Congress from Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province, proposed that local authorities should seek to obtain a UNESCO World Heritage status for the brewing technique of Shaoxing yellow rice wine, or huangjiu, during this year's two sessions.

Zhang said that the wine-brewing technique is an important part of traditional Chinese culture and a UNESCO World Heritage status would be befitting of its significance.

Zhang has been brewing yellow rice wine for 35 years and is the industry's only deputy to the National People's Congress.

File photo: Expats take a sip of Shaoxing yellow rice wine. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]

Huangjiu is fermented from glutinous rice and wheat and has an amber hue. Depending on the degree of fermentation and age, the wine's color varies from light gold to a deep chocolate brown. Its percentage of alcohol in huangjiu is usually less than 20 percent.

With a history of more than 2,500 years, huangjiu is believed to be one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in China. The earliest text records of the spirit date back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).

Shaoxing is widely regarded as the home of yellow rice wine in China. Huangjiu produced in the city is exported to more than 40 countries and regions, and the brewing technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2006.