Curb pomp and bureaucracy, military chiefs are told
Red carpets, luxury banquets, booze and 'empty talk' out of favour as officers told to set example amid public anger over rampant graft
The Central Military Commission (CMC) has ordered high-ranking military officials to cut down on pomp and receptions and shorten speeches in response to a similar campaign launched by party secretary Xi Jinping for Politburo members.
Receptions attended by senior PLA officers will no longer feature alcohol or luxury banquets and will be free of welcome banners, red carpets, floral arrangements, formations of soldiers, performances and souvenirs, Xinhua reported.
According to 10 regulations recently issued by the CMC and announced by Xinhua yesterday, PLA leaders, such as senior officials of the four General Headquarters, as well as leaders of the military districts, would not be allowed to stay in luxurious hotels during inspection tours.
They were also ordered to cut both the number and length of the tours, overseas visits, meetings and reports.
"The comrades [PLA leaders] should … focus on important affairs," Xinhua quoted the CMC as saying, adding that the new rules for the leaders aimed to set examples for other senior and middle-ranking officials.
During meetings, senior PLA officials should "avoid empty talk and they will not be allowed to attend ribbon-cutting and cornerstone-laying ceremonies, celebrations or seminars unless they have received approval from CMC".
The use of vehicles equipped with sirens will be rigorously controlled during official visits to prevent public disturbances.
