China bans party members from playing golf

The above information was released by Xinhua News Agency on October 22, according to which, the Politburo of the Communist Party of China has issued new regulations to purify Party members and tighten discipline within the Party.

Xinhua described the measures as “moral regulations that Party members must abide by.”

Previously, according to Xinhua, Party members were banned from having "mistresses" and illicit relationships, however, the new regulations issued by the Communist Party will be much stricter.

Accordingly, the Chinese Communist Party has added a rule that Party members are prohibited from “associating with people of social ill-repute.”

Tianan Golf Course in Beijing. AP photo.

In addition, according to Xinhua, the ban on golf and lavish drinking was introduced for the first time by the Communist Party and considered a violation of Party discipline regulations.

Under the new regulation, Party members are not allowed to “purchase or use membership cards of sports centers, golf courses or shop at shopping malls or private clubs.”

According to Xinhua, if found to have violated the rules, Party members may be warned or even expelled from the Party depending on the severity of the violation.

Earlier in September, Chinese media reported that at least 60 people working at state-owned corporations were punished for using public money to play golf.

Also in September, Lin Chunsong, vice governor of Fujian province, was forced to resign for playing golf during work hours.

Since 2004, the Chinese government has ordered a halt to all new golf course construction in the country. However, the number of golf courses in the country has increased from 200 in 2004 to 600 in 2015.

In addition, Party members are not allowed to “abuse their positions of power to force localities to give them lavish receptions or invite them to attend lavish banquets.”

According to Xinhua, the new regulations will apply to China's 88 million Party members. The Communist Party of China stated: "Party members must clearly distinguish between public and private affairs, put the Party's interests first and work impartially. In addition, Party members must also live simply and fight against extravagance and waste."

According to VOV