China Bans New Government Buildings in Waste Crackdown

China banned government departments, Communist Party agencies and state-owned companies from constructing new office buildings for five years as the country seeks to cut wasteful spending.

The ban includes construction for purposes of training, meetings and accommodation, the government said in a statement on its website yesterday, calling for resources to be spent instead on developing the economy and improving public welfare. Projects that have already won approval and not under construction should also be halted, the government said. All localities should report on the implementation of the new rules by Sept. 30, according to the statement.