Anti-graft policy to limit guests at officials' family events

No more than 200 guests can be invited to family ceremonies held by government officials under a new regulation in Wenzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province.

Under the rule, which was jointly released by Wenzhou City Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Wenzhou City government on Wednesday, officials will not be allowed to invite their subordinates or others that may affect the officials' work to family events.

This includes weddings, funerals, birthdays or other occasions of theirs or their family.

Cash or other gifts are also not allowed to be accepted.

The officials are prohibited to use government cars or other vehicles provided by people or companies connected to any government work, according to the regulation.

Any official who is planning a ceremony is required to report it to their department 10 days ahead of schedule, or within 10 days after in the case of a funeral. Government departments will release ceremony information every quarter for the public to view.

The regulation takes effect on Jan 1, 2013.

It has provided a criteria for officials to be self-disciplined, as well as a reference for the public to observe officials, said Jiang Rubiao, associate professor with the Party School of the CPC Wenzhou City Committee.

"There will definitely be a complaint from the public if a ceremony of an official's family is extravagant," said Jiang.

In China, family ceremonies are important occasions for giving gifts, especially money. Friends and relatives will present cash to congratulate or console the family, which also offers opportunities for officials to accept bribes.