A pivotal cultural shift
LAVISH banquets featuring gourmet delicacies, rare ingredients and fine wines – once a symbol of status and power among China's political elite – are steadily fading into history.
This cultural shift stems from a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) aimed at curbing wasteful public spending and enhancing transparency at all levels of government.
Launched in 2012 with the introduction of the Eight-Point Regulation, the campaign has gained momentum over the years. It tackles not only financial misconduct but also the excesses historically associated with political and corporate privilege.
The policy marked a turning point in how party officials are expected to conduct themselves, targeting long-standing problems such as extravagance, bureaucracy, and formalism.
It imposes strict limits on spending for official perks, including receptions and banquets.
'Thirteen years on, these policies have delivered significant results in stamping out corruption and unhealthy practices within the party,' said Prof Zhao Gangyin, director of the Party Building Department at the Shanghai Party Institute of the CPC.
Prof Zhao noted that China has seen a sharp drop in government spending on official vehicles, overseas trips, and receptions.
In 2023, only 59.7% (3.87bil yuan) of the allocated 6.496bil yuan (RM3.8bil) budget for these three categories was used. This contrasts sharply with 2011, when 99.3% (9.364bil yuan) of the 9.428bil yuan (RM5.6bil) budget was utilised, and 2012, when 98.6% (7.984bil yuan) of the 8.095bil yuan (RM4.78bil)budget was spent.
And Shanghai, a city widely seen as a barometer for nationwide policy enforcement, has implemented strict protocols for official receptions.
According to Prof Zhao, the standard meal allowance for visiting officials is now capped at 100 yuan per person per day.
'A working meal can be arranged, if necessary, and the cost must not exceed 150 yuan per guest and 50 yuan (RM30) for each support staff,' he said.
The number of accompanying staff allowed at official banquets meanwhile is limited to one-third of the total number of guests.
'If there are only 10 guests or fewer, only three staff members may dine together,' he explained.
For foreign guests, the daily meal allowance is set at 600 yuan (RM354) for each head of state or government, and 550 yuan for vice-president, deputy prime minister as well as parliamentary speaker or deputy levels.
'Ministers and vice-ministers are allocated 500 yuan each, while the allowance for others stands at 300 yuan,' he added.
Prof Zhao shared this information during a briefing session for a delegation of political party leaders from Asean recently.
The Malaysian delegation included DAP vice-chairman Teo Nie Ching, national organising secretary Khoo Poay Tiong, assistant national organising secretary Lee Chin Chen, and Progressive Democratic Party information chief Joshua Ting Fu Ying.
As Beijing intensifies its efforts to regulate official conduct, strict regulations are expected to remain a key feature of China's broader governance and reform strategy. Last month, a revised version of the Regulations on Strictly Enforcing Thrift and Fighting Waste in Party and Government Organs was issued, underscoring China's commitment to promoting frugality amid economic challenges.
Further elaborating on the Eight-Point Regulation, Prof Zhao said it also emphasises closer ties between party officials and the public, simplicity in communication and governance, and an improved work ethic.
Officials are instructed to reduce unnecessary overseas trips, cut large entourages, streamline traffic arrangements, and shorten meetings.
Since 2013, the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision have published monthly data on regulation violations to ensure continued oversight.
To date, more than one million cases have been investigated, with disciplinary actions and punishments taken against numerous officials.
Last year alone saw a record 225,275 cases reported, the highest annual figure to date. This compares with 136,307 cases in 2019; 119,224 in 2020; and 107,547 in 2022.
In the first quarter of this year alone, 63,728 cases were reported, leading to criticism or discipline for 84,323 individuals. Another 55,886 were subject to formal party or administrative disciplinary action.
Of the reported cases, 31,442 were linked to bureaucracy and formalism, including lack of public engagement, inefficiency, and actions detrimental to public interest or placing burdens on grassroots communities.
Another 32,286 involved hedonism and extravagance, such as accepting expansive gifts, attending lavish banquets, unauthorised distribution of subsidies or welfare benefits, and personal use of public funds.
Teo, who is also Malaysia's Deputy Communications Minister, said the briefing offered valuable insight for a party that has transitioned from Opposition to government as DAP has done.
'Having spent nearly six decades playing the role of Opposi-tion, adapting to governance is a significant transition,' she said.
As she put it, being the second largest party in Parliament brings not only influence but also the challenge of maintaining internal discipline and integrity.
DAP, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, could explore plans to set up its own party school to help build internal capacity and discipline, she said.
(From left) Lee, Teo, Khoo and Ting visiting the site of CPC's first national congress.
The visit to the Shanghai Party Institute was held in conjunction with the CPC in Dialogue with Political Parties of Neighbouring Countries forum in Beijing last month.
The delegates also visited a historic building in Shanghai where the first CPC National Congress was held in 1921. The meeting then was abruptly cut short when the 13 founding members were exposed and forced to flee for safety. A few days later, the congress resumed on a boat in Zhejiang province, about 100km away, where the members officially declared the founding of the party.
In Beijing, the delegates also visited Shougang Park, a multipurpose development hub transformed from a former iron and steel factory – a testament to China's urban renewal efforts.
A visit to Shougang Park.
Shared future
The two-day dialogue, themed 'Building a Community with a Shared Future with Neighbouring Countries: Political Parties in Action', brought together more than 200 leaders from over 40 political parties, along with government officials, think tanks, media, and business representatives. It was hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
Founded in 1921 with just over 50 members, the CPC has grown into the world's second-largest political party, with 99.185 million members as of 2023.
Women make up 30.4% (or 30.19 million) of the membership.
The largest age group within the party, making up 31.78% or nearly 31.52 million members, is between 31 and 45 years old. Meanwhile, 12.51% (about 12.41 million members) are aged 30 and below.
Responding to a Thai delegate's concern over regional tensions between China and the United States, the CPC Central Committee's International Department minister Liu Jianchao said China did not want its neighbouring countries to take sides.
'China would want to be a country that maintains a very friendly relationship with its neighbours.
"We don't want to put them in a situation where they have to choose a side, and we hope the other country will do the same,' he said.
Liu also addressed a common saying that 'one turns to the US for security and to China for development'.
Disagreeing with this, he said regional security could not be guaranteed by a third party.
'We rely on ourselves for security, rely on our consensus and our philosophy for peace,' he said.
While acknowledging that China provides development opportunities, Liu said that the country, too, has benefited from the cooperation.
Also invited to the event were MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng and central committee member Datuk Koh Chin Han, as well as Amanah vice-president Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli.
A joint initiative outlining several key points of consensus, reflecting broad support for a vision of strengthened ties across political, economic, and cultural dimensions was adopted. In the document, participants affirmed a shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and development with political parties identified as essential forces in this process.
The participants, from both ruling governments and the opposition, agreed that their roles as policy leaders and public opinion shapers give them the ability and responsibility to promote regional unity.
The joint initiative also reaffirmed support for multilateralism and economic globalisation while pledging a firm rejection of unilateralism, protectionism, and 'economic bullying'.
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