What is "jiu niang," and how is it used in Chinese cuisine?

Jiu niang, also known as “sweet rice wine” or “fermented sweet rice,” is a traditional Chinese fermented beverage made from glutinous rice, water, and a type of yeast called “qu.” It has a sweet, mildly alcoholic flavor and is often used as a cooking ingredient in dishes and desserts. It can be used to flavor soups, marinades, or to make traditional desserts like sweet rice wine soup (jiu niang tang) and steamed rice cakes.