China Bans Alcohol and Lavish Banquets Among Government Staff

No alcohol or cigarettes at dining tables, no lavish banquets, no luxury fittings or interiors in official vehicles, and no ornamental plants or backdrops at work meetings — these are among the new guidelines issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to rein in bureaucratic excess and promote frugality.

The guidelines, originally introduced in 2013 to curb extravagance, were renewed on May 2 and mainly target public government and Party institutions.

The updated regulation provides more detailed provisions in official matters relating to domestic and international travel, standards for receptions, and rules on the use of vehicles and dining spaces. It also outlines clearer procedures for supervision and accountability.

Read more