China's central authorities on July 23 introduced a ban on the construction of new government buildings.

The General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a directive that calls for an across-the-board halt to the construction of any new government buildings in the coming five years.

The ban also prohibits governments from building expensive structures designated as training centers or hotels.

According to the directive, the construction, purchase, restoration or expansion of office compounds done under the guise of building repair or urban planning is strictly forbidden.

It also bans CPC and government organizations from receiving any form of construction sponsorship or donations, as well as collaborating with enterprises, in developing construction projects.

While allowing restoration projects for office buildings with dated facilities, the directive stresses that such projects must be exclusively aimed at erasing safety risks and restoring office functions.

The directive stipulates that expenditures on office building restoration should be included in CPC and government budgets.