A senior Chinese official on Friday reiterated a ban to the extravagant reception parties of government officials.

"Officials should reform the style of their receptions and strive to build a clean and frugal government," said Hua Jianmin, also the Secretary General of the State Council, at a cabinet workshop on reforming the government's reception affairs.

The reform will be a critical measure in "restoring the trust and authority of the Party and the government departments and establishing a sound public image," Hua said.

It is a centuries-old tradition for Chinese hosts to throw generous, sometimes extravagant, banquets to entertain their guests.

Hua said strict rules and enhanced monitoring should be put in place to prevent extravagance at receptions.

Source: Xinhua