The clickety-clack sound of mahjong tiles is heard less often these days in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province.

In March 2013, Guiyang introduced a "No Mahjong" policy and last week the Guiyang discipline inspection commission issued a statement saying the policy meant the game cannot be played by officials and Party members at work, in any public place or with people where it could give rise to financially compromising situations, shorthand for gambling or taking bribes.

"It is OK if playing mahjong is only for fun, but it cannot be confused with gambling," said Ruan Jing, an inspector of the policy research office of the provincial Party committee.

"Officials must not regard playing mahjong as a way of accepting benefits."

The policy echoes the "eight rules", issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China at the end of 2012 to target extravagance.

In 2013, 170 officials and Party members were punished because of misconduct and 72 were found playing mahjong at work or in public places, according to Hu Bin, a member of the Guiyang city discipline inspection commission standing committee.

"The mahjong policy for officials and Party members also targets civil servants in Guiyang. We hope it will help to improve their public image and credibility," Hu said.

Xu Kun, a distinguished researcher of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, sees the rules as a concrete measure for the officials and Party members to improve their credibility.

"If officials have time to play mahjong during work hours, then their work structure needs to change," Xu said.

The policy was broadly welcomed, with some suggesting it could be expanded.

As a middle school teacher, Zhang Yiran sees benefits to limiting mahjong.

"The parents of some students in my class are addicted to playing mahjong and ignore their children's studies."

One employee at a State-owned enterprise, who requested anonymity, said that the policy would help him avoid potentially tricky situations.

"I used to play mahjong with my clients, but the work aspect was always present. Was I winning or losing because of my position at work? Maybe the rules will put an end to similar situations," he said.

However, one civil servant also expressed concern. "My friends and colleagues play mahjong for fun, to relieve work pressure and to enjoy the company of others," he said. "The rules should not end up as 'one size fits all'."

One resident said she enjoys playing mahjong in her spare time and has done so for years "but now it's hard to find players".

Jia Tingting contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at yangjun@chinadaily.com.cn and lijun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 02/18/2014 page3)