Media backs anti-bureaucracy drive

Official media outlets have reiterated the country's position against official bureaucracy and unscrupulous waste of government funds.

The People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC), stated on Wednesday that the CPC leadership's requirements to reject such vices have been effectively implemented by local governments.

It also quoted scholars as saying that supervision must be tightened to ensure that such requirements will be observed on a long-term basis.

In December, the CPC leadership pledged eight measures to improve the Party's work style and reject extravagance and bureaucracy.

President Xi Jinping called on all Party organs and members to keep a frugal lifestyle and make determined efforts to oppose ostentation and reject hedonism and extravagance.

In a survey by China Youth Daily on Tuesday, over 91 percent voiced their concern that the practices may rebound as the crackdown loosens.

Since government-funded extravagance is deeply-rooted, simple requirements and regulations without teeth may not effectively eliminate it if there is no fundamental change in relevant systems, said Wang Jingbo, a professor from the China University of Political Science and Law.

If the campaign turns out to last only a short period of time, the public's trust and confidence in the government will be impaired, Wang said.