CPC bans officials from private clubs

BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) has banned officials from high-end private clubs, part of its ongoing campaign against official extravagance.

According to a circular issued by a CPC "mass line" campaign office, officials will face "severe punishments" for "entering members-only clubs as well as catering, entertainment, beauty and fitness venues that are closed to the general public but open only to a handful of people."

They must also promise not to accept and hold membership of similar businesses, the circular said.

The move is part of an overarching drive by the CPC to limit formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance in officials' work styles.

Public anger has been rising against private clubs, which are often illicitly built with public resources, sometimes in historical buildings or parks, and frequented by the powerful and rich.

Many of the clubs are illegally established and operated, infringe on public interests, and are hotbeds of corruption, according to the circular, which said illicit leasing of historical buildings or parks must be put to an end and a long-term supervision mechanism must be set up.

Moves against official decadence in the past year have included banning flower arrangements in meeting rooms, expensive liquor, delicacies such as shark fin, and luxurious gifts during festivals.

The "mass line" is also intended to make the Party and government more accessible to the general public.