Outcry as Chinese local government ‘bans birthday banquets’ for people under 70

A local government in southwest China has caused an outcry by banning people under the age of 70 from holding birthday banquets, according to a news website.

The authorities in Tongjiang county near Bazhong in Sichuan province introduced the regulations because it said the events were creating a huge financial burden for families paying for the meals and guests who have to give gifts, Scol.com.cn reported.

The regulations also stipulate that people over 70 can only have a birthday banquet once every ten years, the article said.

Many people have opposed the rules saying it was right to celebrate older people’s longevity and that limiting the number of parties was wrong.

Some, however, have backed the move, arguing that residents in the country are not wealthy and the number of banquets held was excessive.

The website spoke to 19 families and 11 said they had attended at least 30 banquets over the past three years.