Congratulations: your Chinese license is valid for six years, but must be re-registered periodically throughout that time. It's based on a 12-point system, with points deducted for traffic violations.
If you lose all your points within a one-year period, you must take a remedial class to "relearn the rules" and pass a traffic rules exam again. If you get stopped for drunk driving, you'll lose six points if mildly intoxicated and all 12 points if wasted. You'll also pay a fine ranging from RMB 200 to 2,000 and have your license suspended for at least three months.
You could also be arrested and put in jail for up to 15 days. Less drastic violations include ignoring a red or yellow light (three points), exceeding the speed limit (three points) and driving without a seatbelt (one or two points)