CPC bans officials from private clubs  

中央：干部不得出入会员制或不向公众开放会所

中央党的群众路线教育实践活动办公室近日发出通知，要求继续把整治“会所中的歪风”作为教育实践活动反“四风”重要内容，进一步明确整治范围和纪律要求，坚决刹住“会所中的歪风”。 [查看全文]

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.