Officials must apply online to hold events

Officials in the southern city of Shenzhen will have to apply to an online government system if they wish to hold events such as wedding banquets or funerals.

Starting this Friday, all officials in the city of Guangdong Province should apply 10 days in advance of such events, said the disciplinary inspection commission of the province. 

An online application system developed by the commission is being trialled.

 Officials also have to apply for events including birthdays parties, housewarming parties, promotion banquets and work transfer banquets of officials, their spouses and close relatives.

Officials must fill an online form and clearly state the event’s venue, time and the number of participants. Applicants must promise to have self-discipline and be thrifty. 

They must pledge not to take gifts and money from their subordinates, and not use public funds to host the events. Even if they use their own money, the events must not be too lavish.

The commission said officials holding funerals for their close relatives could report directly or through telephone. But they should fill the online form within 15 days of the funeral being held. Anyone who failed to follow the new process would face severe punishment, said the commission.

Since late 2012, more than 280 centrally-administered officials have been investigated for corruption. More than 1.4 million Party members or officials have been punished.