China Reprimanded Over 100,000 Officials Since 2012 For Breaching Austerity Rules

The anti-corruption body of China’s Communist Party (CPC) said that the country has reprimanded over 100,000 officials since 2012, who were found guilty of wasteful spending and violating workplace policies that espoused austerity. The admonitions come amid the party-led anti-corruption campaign that began in December 2013.

A monthly report by the CPC’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said that in December 2014, about 5,340 workers were given an official warning. Since 2012, the latest released figures show, about 102,168 officers have been reprimanded. In December 2012, the party had introduced rules that required officials to minimize meetings, reduce government spending and follow stringent housing and vehicle limits, the Associated Press reported.

Most recently, the party also announced plans to begin a new campaign to improve the behavior of officials at the county level. The campaign will emphasize on instances where it finds abuse of power and disloyalty to the party.

On Friday, the Chinese finance ministry said that the government will cut the budget on travels outside the country, official vehicles and receptions by 11.7 percent this year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had launched the campaign against corruption after he came to power in 2012; the campaign has since ensnared a number of high-level officials.