This policy is nothing more than old wine in a new bottle.
Tips
usage
Almost always pejorative — implies the rebrand is superficial and the substance hasn't changed. Note this is the inverse of the English 'new wine in old bottles' (Matthew 9:17, where the wine bursts the old skins). The Chinese version flips it: same wine, just a fresher-looking bottle.
culture
Often used to critique reforms, sequels, repackaged products, and political slogans. Compare with 换汤不换药 (huàn tāng bù huàn yào, 'change the broth but not the medicine') — same idea, more colloquial.
