Frugality promised in upcoming 'two sessions'

BEIJING - Measures including tight controls over conference expenses and vehicle use have been detailed for the forthcoming "two sessions", the latest efforts to fight against extravagance in China.

The annual sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, and the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, will open on March 3 and 5, respectively.

Among the 15 measures listed by the NPC are appropriate layout of meeting rooms and strict control of car use and vehicle passes during the meetings.

The members of the NPC presidium are asked to take coaches with deputies. There should be no flowers in hotel rooms used by deputies.

Banquets and gala events are also prohibited during the meetings, even small gifts and local delicacies are not allowed to be exchanged, Xinhua learned from the NPC.

The CPPCC, as well as other departments such as the ministries of finance and civil affairs, has also carried out a spate of similar measures to echo the central government's frugality call during the sessions.

The sessions will elect or approve the appointment of the country's new leadership and executive organs, providing institutional and personnel guarantees for the country's development.