25 Feb 2010

Fresh bid to fight official corruption in China

4:43 pm on 25 February 2010

The Communist Party in China has issued a new ethics code to try to stamp out growing levels of corruption among officials.

The code bans property speculation and lavish expenditure - as well as extravagant weddings and funerals.

The last set of rules was issued 13 years ago.

The BBC reports corruption is an increasingly hot topic among the public: graft often tops the list of issues of most concern for ordinary Chinese citizens.

According to the new code, party officials should work hard to serve the people and avoid accepting gifts or using their influence to benefit family members.

The guide bans lavish weddings and funerals, and overseas tours. It also says officials should also stay out of profit-making deals and not

buy flash cars.