In a fresh show of resolve to fight extravagance and promote frugality, central Party and government departments will have to cut their spending on meetings after a new regulation comes into effect on Jan 1.

A regulation issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday sets stricter standards for the size, duration and per capita expenditure on meetings sponsored by not only almost all central Party organs and government departments, but also the agencies under their direct jurisdiction.

Replacing a similar regulation promulgated in 2008, the latest regulation demands a strict budget and an information disclosure system be set up to monitor the spending on meetings and identify any malpractices.