Forge tradition of frugality

There have been many changes in the way Chinese people spend their Spring Festival holiday in recent years, and not every change has been welcomed by all. But a notable change this year is indisputably praiseworthy, and the change is apt to become the norm, said a commentary in Beijing News.

Discipline inspection commissions, arms of the country's anti-graft watchdog, made unannounced inspections of fancy hotels and other venues where guests, officials in particular, are often entertained using public money. As a collateral benefit, many of those who used to be tied up with running official receptions and activities during the Spring Festival holiday could join their families and visit relatives and friends. There have also been media reports about the fewer official receptions and activities, and publicly-funded gift giving in province's such as South China's Hainan province and Central China's Henan province.

These regional situations do not necessarily reflect the nationwide situation, but to a certain extent they demonstrate the great efforts China has made so far to curb the extravagance of officials and possibly herald a less ostentatious officialdom.

Public servants, as those in charge of social management, always bear the weight of public expectation, but for years the expensive liquor-fuelled official banquets and other extravagant consumption using public money have shown public servants in a very unflattering light. Therefore, for public servants, the key element of a good public life is to separate their public life from their private interests. The weather of Hainan province in winter is pleasant, and like ordinary citizens, Party and government officials can take a trip to the tropical province and enjoy sunbathing and have seafood, but the vacationing should be in a private capacity, not abusing public resources in the name of official activities.

It should be acknowledged that the work styles of authorities and officials at all levels have been greatly improved since the country's top leadership introduced the eight-point regulations in late 2012 to curb undesirable work styles of officials.

The public are looking forward to further concrete efforts to curb the extravagance of officials and further strengthening of the supervision over the use of public resources and power, as well as an enhanced fight against misconduct.

(China Daily 02/18/2014 page8)