Circular calls for curbing excessive lighting projects

A leading group on the Communist Party of China education campaign has issued a circular calling for efforts to curb "vanity projects" such as excessive and unnecessary lighting projects in China.

According to the circular released recently by the group leading the CPC education campaign called "staying true to our founding mission", those projects should be rectified as a crucial part of local government reform.

The campaign was launched by the Party on May 31. Party members have been instructed to examine why they do what they do and identify any failings.

In recent years, some cases of excessive and unnecessary lighting projects and other "vanity projects" have been found in poor areas, which are a waste of national fiscal and social resources, the circular said.

"Such trends that boost the culture of deception and pose threats to governance should receive high attention. We should deepen reform and curb the trend with a practical and realistic style of work," it said.

The circular asked officials at various levels, especially local officials at city or county levels, to gain a "proper understanding of political career achievements" and uphold a people-centered approach.

Urban development should be based on local economic development and financial status, and financial resources should be allocated to areas that can facilitate development and improve people's living standards, it said.

"All our efforts should focus on matters that closely relate to people and aim to improve peoples' happiness and satisfaction," the circular said.

Local Party committees and governments are required to check and evaluate lighting projects and other urban development programs to rectify "vanity projects" that are beyond the local financial capacity and against people's will.

It emphasized that public opinions are welcomed. In addition, factors including the long-term development plans of the cities and towns should be taken into account in the evaluation.

The circular also urged inspection teams at all levels to strengthen supervision and guidance of the reform and rectification, preventing similar projects from occurring again.

Xinhua contributed to this story.