Latest news with #RegulationsonPracticingThriftandOpposingWaste
Gulf Insider
26-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
"Barrage Of Public Criticism": Xi Jinping's Admin Eases Alcohol Ban On Officials After Backlash
The Xi Jinping administration has revised a widely criticized 'alcohol ban' on government and party officials after backlash over its economic impact and excessive enforcement, according to Nikkei. The slight policy adjustment was announced through three key state media outlets, often referred to as the 'throat and tongue' of the Chinese Communist Party. On June 17, People's Daily Online emphasized that not all eating and drinking was banned—only indulgence in luxury food, alcohol, and cigarettes at official functions. State-run Xinhua followed on June 19, warning against a 'one size fits all' crackdown, while the Qiushi Journal clarified on June 20 that 'normal' dining and drinking are still permitted. The ban, widely seen as an overreach, triggered a sharp drop in alcohol sales as civil servants across the country began avoiding restaurants out of fear. In some areas, officials were banned from dining out even privately or on weekends, and surveillance cameras were installed in restaurants to monitor their behavior. One civil servant was punished simply for accepting a bowl of noodles from a business contact. Nikkei Asia writes that this policy shift reflects a rare, swift reversal from Xi's leadership—especially when compared to the drawn-out rollback of the zero-COVID policy, which remained in place despite economic damage and was only lifted at the end of 2022. The ban's origins trace back to March, when the Central Leading Group for Party Building, led by Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, launched an education campaign to enforce Xi's 2012 'eight-point rules' promoting frugality. The campaign, set to run through July, coincides with the lead-up to the Beidaihe meeting of senior and retired party leaders in August. Cai Qi, one of Xi's closest allies, oversees the group and also heads the party's General Office and propaganda apparatus. Another Xi confidant, Li Xi, serves as deputy leader of the group and heads the party's anti-graft agency. Though the 2012 code does not ban alcohol, the campaign's enforcement led to a de facto nationwide prohibition. The situation escalated after several civil servants died from alcohol poisoning at official banquets, prompting public anger and local overcorrections. 'Some local organizations overreacted,' the People's Daily commentary noted, while Xinhua urged restraint and context. The revisions, announced in mid-May through the updated Regulations on Practicing Thrift and Opposing Waste, are seen as an effort to correct course without undermining Xi's authority. 'The administration seems to have decided to prioritize shoring up domestic consumption over saving face,' a notable shift from past rigidity. The controversy also unfolded just before the June 30 Politburo meeting, where officials announced new regulations for decision-making bodies like the Central Leading Group for Party Building. The move hinted at a subtle recalibration of centralized power in Beijing's Zhongnanhai. As one official media headline made clear, the ban wasn't meant to target all alcohol consumption. But the overreach, like the zero-COVID measures before it, underscored how quickly Xi-era campaigns can ripple through China—often with unintended consequences.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
No booze, no bouquets: China tightens frugal code for officials
BEIJING: No booze, no banquets, no bouquets. China has barred alcohol, luxury dishes, and cigarettes from official meals, part of a sweeping crackdown on extravagance in public life. Government cars must forgo flashy upgrades, and meeting rooms must be free of ornamental plants and fancy backdrops. The new rules, set out in the newly revised Regulations on Practicing Thrift and Opposing Waste in Party and Government Organs, are the latest effort by China's top leadership to rein in official perks and promote restraint. First introduced in 2013 as a follow-up to the Party's landmark eight-point rules, an initiative launched in late 2012 to curb official misconduct and restore public trust, austerity guidelines were reaffirmed this May amid a broader campaign to reinforce discipline and compliance across the Party's 100 million members. These updated guidelines set out more detailed rules than ever before for Party and government officials -- targeting public funds, official travel, receptions, vehicle use, meetings, and office space. Extravagant banquets and heavy drinking were once fixtures of official life in China, customs so entrenched that phrases like "no banquet is complete without alcohol" and "business is done over drinks" became part of the vernacular. But such excesses, long resented by the public, have since increasingly come under scrutiny. As part of a renewed push for ensuring discipline, China has now imposed a sweeping ban on alcohol at official receptions, while cigarettes and luxury dishes are also off the table. Analysts said the ban is unlikely to meaningfully affect the industry of baijiu, a fiery Chinese liquor once a staple at government banquets. Xiao Zhuqing, an industry expert, noted that since the rollout of the Party's eight-point rules just over a decade ago, government-related consumption of baijiu has shrunk considerably. Today, official purchases account for less than 5 percent of the market, limiting the new regulation's impact on the sector. Excessive drinking not only erodes the image of government officials but can also end in tragedy. In a recent case that drew national attention, a county-level official in central China's Henan Province died after consuming alcohol at a midday banquet during a training seminar in March. Nine other officials present at this banquet were later disciplined, demoted, or dismissed. Under the new rules, officials on domestic trips are barred from accepting cash gifts, souvenirs, or local specialties. For overseas trips, private jet travel is off-limits, while officials are no longer allowed to add extra stops or extend their stays abroad without prior authorization. Officials are also barred from using public cars for private errands or claiming personal vehicle expenses from public funds. These new rules call for government fleets to prioritize new energy vehicles, part of a wider push to reduce emissions. Party and government bodies are under orders to trim back meetings to only what is essential. Gone are the days of lavish conference setups -- this means no floral arrangements and no elaborate staging. Holding official gatherings at scenic resorts is strictly forbidden. The new rules have received largely positive feedback online. Wang Xuming, a scholar and retired official from the Ministry of Education, praised them as "detailed and pragmatic" on microblogging site Weibo. Grassroots officials have also voiced their support. Some have long borne the health costs of official banquets, such as fatty liver and high blood pressure, widely seen as occupational hazards in a work culture where "drinking twice a day felt like part of the job." As part of its austerity drive, China's central government has been steadily trimming its public expenses on official receptions, vehicles, and overseas travel for years. The 2025 budget includes 6.12 billion yuan (about $851.7 million) for such expenses, down 322 million yuan from last year. Reception spending alone is capped at 302 million yuan, 13 million less than in 2024. The savings from reduced official spending, according to the regulations, will be redirected toward development priorities and public welfare. As China continues its campaign against official extravagance, the once-routine perks of public office, including opulent banquets and taxpayer-funded junkets, have quietly receded. The government's austerity push is rippling through society at large. Frugality has begun to replace excess as a social value. Restaurants are downsizing portions -- and it has become common for diners to take leftovers home. This culture shift extends to major life events. Costly wedding and funeral banquets, once seen as obligatory displays of status, are giving way to simpler, more modest affairs, reflecting a broader embrace of restraint inspired from the top down. - Xinhua
