Communist Party slams Hong Kong junkets for business delegations
Flagship newspaper criticises lavish investment promotions by business delegations and warns of punishment for anyone wasting public funds
People's Daily lashed out yesterday at the lavish spending of mainland business delegations when visiting Hong Kong, saying anti-graft officials would investigate and punish those who wasted public funds and "tainted" the government's image.
The unprecedented criticism of such investment delegations was seen as part of Xi Jinping's efforts to reduce extravagance by officials, calling on government units, state-owned companies and institutions to avoid expensive meals and entertainment.
To those who dare break the disciplinary rules and make bad social impact, the investigations must be launched to punish the officials in charge
"To those who dare break the disciplinary rules and make bad social impact, the investigations must be launched to punish the officials in charge," the Communist Party mouthpiece said.
Each year dozens of local and provincial government delegations travel to Hong Kong, hosting investment promotional campaigns to increase their foreign direct investment (FDI) figures, one of the major economic indicators used by the party to gauge officials' performance.
Often, the more underdeveloped the regions are, the more active their officials are in hosting the grand events to attract Hong Kong investors.
In May, six provincial-level delegations flocked to Hong Kong as they sought investors, followed by another three in June, the newspaper said.
In the process, they often stay at five-star hotels and hold expensive breakfasts, lunches and dinners for investors.