Chinese military bans luxury banquets

The military on Friday declared that receptions for high-ranking officers will no longer feature liquor or luxury banquets. The receptions will also be free of welcome banners, red carpets, floral arrangements, formations of soldiers, performances and souvenirs, according to ten regulations drawn up by the Central Military Commission. The regulations also prohibit commission officials from staying in civilian hotels or military hotels specially equipped with luxury accommodation during inspection tours. The ten regulations also require officials to cut both the number and length of inspection tours, overseas visits, meetings and reports. The regulations state that speakers at meetings should avoid empty talk, while commission officials will not be allowed to attend ribbon-cutting and cornerstone-laying ceremonies, celebrations or seminars unless they have received approval from the of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee or the Central Military Commission.The use of vehicles equipped with sirens will be rigorously controlled during official visits in order to prevent public disturbances. Additionally, commission officials are also required to discipline their spouses, children and subordinates and make sure they do not take bribes. The Central Military Commission enacted the regulations to echo the new central leadership's call to improve work styles. At a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on Dec. 4, participants approved regulations calling for political bureau members to improve their work in eight ways, with a particular focus on reducing extravagance and bureaucracy.