County curtails banquets

A county in Sichuan province has imposed restrictions on banquets, birthday parties and other celebrations in an effort to encourage officials and the public to be frugal.

The measure stirred a heated online debate. Supporters claimed it was a good way to limit wasteful behavior, especially among officials, while critics complained that authorities shouldn't curtail the party freedom of ordinary citizens.

The Tongjiang county government announced online in late July that residents may hold banquets on only three occasions: weddings, funerals and birthdays for those aged over 70. Birthday banquets were restricted to one every 10 years.