Officials across China are being urged to increase self-discipline and stand up against corruption during the New Year and Spring Festival holidays.

According to a circular issued by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision, officials should live a frugal life and rule out extravagance and waste.

Feasts, sightseeing and gift-giving with government money are absolutely forbidden.

The circular warned of penalties on defiant organizations and individuals and threatened public exposure in serious cases.

The festivals are traditional seasons for the Chinese to give gifts and pay respect to each other- a prime opportunity for corrupt practice.

Spring Festival, or the Chinese lunar new year, falls on January 26.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2008)