Despite appearances, this is not a picture of the Mayor partying while out of town.
It's the Mayor doing his job, and when you're being hosted by the Chinese, doing a few drinks is part of the daily grind.
The Chinese are world class toasters and I don't mean that they turn bread brown for breakfast.

Visitors are met by the highest ranking party or government official who welcomes them to sit down to eat.
Then that leader stands up and offers the first toast of the night, usually with some really good locally made Chinese wine, about a third of the glass.
Then, as young women scurry around trying to refill the glasses, the leader of the visiting party
(aka the Mayor) must toast to the expectations of the meet and greet.
Then anyone who's anyone stands up and gives a toast to the group, which usually happens
before the host walks around and personally does a toast to each and every delegation member.
And if you don't think the Chinese have game, just consider that there are 16 members of the Erie group.
It would be one thing if you could just sip your toast, but the Chinese have an answer to that, too.
I don't know the Chinese spelling of the word but it sounds like "Gum-Bay!" It means "bottoms up" and you must empty your glass and then show the glass to the host so he knows you're serious.
You really have to watch your "Gum-Bays" or you could be "Gum-Bye-Bye" by the salad course.
The Chinese don't do business with strangers.
But to be their friend risks never making it to dessert, which is just as well since the Chinese don't end meals with sweets.