As part of an ongoing frugality campaign, the Chinese government Tuesday imposed a five-year-ban on constructing new government buildings.
A directive, issued jointly by the general office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the general office of the State Council, has called for an across-the-board halt to constructing any new government buildings for next five years, the China Daily reported.
The ban also covers expensive structures built as training centres or hotels.
It has been observed some departments and localities have built government office compounds in violation of regulations.
The directive has called on all CPC and government bodies to be frugal and ensure that government funds and resources be spent on developing the economy and boosting the public's well-being.
It states that the construction, purchase, restoration or expansion of office compounds that is done in the guise of building repair or urban planning is strictly forbidden.
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The directive also bans CPC and government organisations from receiving any form of construction sponsorship or donations, as well as collaborating with enterprises, in developing construction projects.
While allowing restoration projects for office buildings with dated facilities, the directive stresses that such projects must be exclusively aimed at erasing safety risks and restoring office functions.
It instructs such projects must be approved first by related administrative departments and luxury interior decoration is prohibited, with criteria and spending to be set in accordance with local conditions.