China punishes 7,006 decadent officials in May

A total of 7,006 Chinese officials were punished in May for breaching anti-bureaucracy rules.

These officials were reported in 4,979 cases, more than half of which involved "violating work disciplines," according to a statement released on Monday by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision.

The statement said that other cases involved the private use of official vehicles, engaging in high-end entertainment and gym activities with public funds, holding fancy weddings and funerals, giving or receiving gifts and spending public money on lavish dinners.

Official figures show that a total of 54,862 officials have been punished by the end of May since the rules were introduced by the central leadership late in 2012 to reduce pomp, ceremony, bureaucratic visits and meetings.