The Chinese government will ban the construction of wasteful and
extravagant official buildings, including departmental hotels and
entertainment centers.
A circular from the State Council and the General Office of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has detailed a
list of features prohibited from government buildings.
It includes:
-- Lobby areas higher than a single storey.
-- Meeting rooms equipped with simultaneous translating
facilities.
-- Indoors gardens.
-- Atriums.
-- Stage areas with audio-visual equipment
The construction of "luxurious" government buildings has
incurred many public complaints, said the circular.
It sets a cost limit of 4,000 yuan (US$512) per meter in the
construction of ministerial level buildings.
The circular requires all government officials to be frugal in
spending public money because China is still a developing
country.
The circular orders finance and expenditure officials to
thoroughly inspect construction plans of government buildings.
"The government will veto plans for any multi-functional meeting
or training centers of government departments or institutions," the
circular said, referring to the addition of restaurants and
hotel-style accommodations in government buildings.
"Nor will funds from the government budget be allocated to
renovate existing centers."
All government office buildings should be "stately," simple, and
practical without "luxurious" interior or exterior decorations, the
circular reads.
The elevators, heating, and air-conditioning facilities in these
buildings must be environmentally friendly and
energy-efficient.
All funding for the construction of government buildings must be
allocated from the central budget. Bank loans or donations under
any guise are prohibited.
It also requires departments and institutions in charge of
construction planning and auditing to thoroughly investigate
government buildings constructed in recent years or those under
construction.
The circular stipulates that excessive space could be
confiscated and sold if the constructions violated government
rules.
(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2007)