China's State Council, or the central government, has asked
local governments to refrain from spending big sums of money on
celebrities for their performances in government-held
celebrations.
The office of the State Council responsible for rectifying
malpractice gave the order in a national conference held on
Tuesday.
It has been a popular practice in China to boost the popularity
of an event with the participation of celebrities, whom organizers
may pay as much as 100,000 yuan for their "appearance".
Local governments should also control the number and scale of
such celebrations and crack down on those who seek benefits from
them or whose malpractice has led to accidents or negative social
influences, said an official with the office.
The office has also ordered local governments to put a stop to
extravagant activities such as over-expending public receptions,
tourism at public expense or constructing luxurious office
buildings.
(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2007)