China bans construction of new government buildings

The Chinese government banned in a directive on Tuesday the construction of new government buildings for the next five years to crackdown on corruption and to promote frugality. The joint directive by Chinese Cabinet and the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) prohibits construction by state-owned enterprises of extravagant official buildings, high cost education centers and hotels and it moves to keep a tight leash on projects for the revamp of existing government buildings as well. The directive also prohibits the CPC and all state institutions from acquiring buildings through donation or sponsorship. President Xi Jinping has pledged to crack down on corruption at all levels from the first day of his office and expressed that public image of CPC has collapsed by outrageous expenses of party elites.