This Day, That Year

Item from May 5, 1991, in China Daily: China's red wine industry is facing slumping sales, declining production and diminishing vineyards.

The output was just 80,000 metric tons last year, 73 percent lower than the record 300,000 tons in 1988. Grape farmers have turned 70 percent of the country's vineyards into fields to grow profitable plants.

Experts say poor quality is the reason for the serious situation in the sector. They have called for effective measures to improve quality.