From the Chinese press

End of lavish entertainments

Five ministries recently issued a joint notice that prohibits local governments from organizing expensive entertainments and advocates celebrating festivals in a simple manner. This is a good move to put an end to their indulgences at taxpayers' expense, says an editorial in People's Daily. Excerpts:

With the development of the economy, many local governments have acquired the habit of spending public money on themselves. Especially during festivals, it seems they are engaged in a competition to see which one can waste the most money. It is no longer rare for them to spend tens of millions of yuan on a single entertainment performance.