Game of golf puts official in the rough

A Commerce Ministry official has been put under investigation on suspicion of taking a golf outing paid for by a company and is alleged to have violated Party disciplines.

Wang Shenyang, head of the department of outbound investment and economic cooperation, is being probed by the anti-graft department of the ministry, according to an announcement on the ministry's website on Tuesday.

According to a Party rule to fight extravagance, there should be "no welcome banners, no red carpets, no floral arrangements or grand receptions for officials' visits" and spending on officials' activities should be kept to a minimum.

Since the rule was adopted in December 2012, anti-graft authorities across the country have began to look into officials' participation in extravagant events, including golf, one of the most costly sports in China.

Guangdong province is at the forefront of the campaign of cleaning up irregularities in golf outings.

Mei Heqing, spokesman for the disciplinary commission in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, said last week that the commission will crack down on the misuse of public money on golfing during office hours and misusing powers for free golf.

The disciplinary commission announced that officials would face punishment if they engaged in a number of golf-related activities, including joining a club.

The public are urged to report any suspected violations through a telephone hotline.

Sanya, the most popular tourist attraction in Hainan province, issued a notice in February urging the city's public servants to report their membership in golf clubs.

zhang_yi@chinadaily.com.cn