Mooncakes should be mooncakes, not anything else

Mooncakes should return to their roots instead of being deemed as fancy gifts exchanged during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The small round pastry encompasses too many "interests" or "pursuits" nowadays and has long been associated with corruption and extravagance with its gift-giving custom among officials, deviating from the food's long tradition.

During the Mid-Autumn festival on Monday, three officials were found and punished for using public funds to buy lavish mooncakes to hand out as gifts on the family-oriented holiday.

The Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), who charged the officials, has repeatedly warned officials to keep away from luxury mooncakes.

With more deluxe packages containing rare and expensive fillings like shark fin, they're often seen as form of bribery among officials and businesses. Less subtle forms of bribery are mooncakes filled with lumps of inedible gold or wrapped in gold or silver packaging.

This year saw a minor drop in excessive spending as the eight rules rejecting extravagance and excessive formalities among party members, passed by the central government in 2012, begins to take effect.

The CPC disciplinary watchdog even opened a special section on its official website for reporting cases of public funds used for mooncakes.

The work style of the Party members and officials influences social ethos. The cultural tradition of sharing mooncakes under the full moon has been more or less spoiled by officials' misconduct in the past.

If government officials go back home early for family reunion and a relaxed festival, without official reception, banquet or gift-giving pressures, the right way to celebrate the traditional festival will be followed and traditional values be cherished.

Mooncakes should be mooncakes, not anything else.