The discipline watchdog in Pingtan county, east China's Fujian province, issued a prohibition against using public funds on greeting cards on Nov 4.

Government departments, State-owned enterprises and agencies under the administration of the Communist Party of China are now banned from purchasing, printing, mailing and giving items such as New Year cards and calendars, the Pingtan Commission for Discipline Inspection said in an announcement.

The prohibition is in line with the central government's newly launched campaign to improve the work ethic of cadres, which includes an austerity budget, closer ties with the general public, higher efficiency, and eliminating corruption.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman