After the new president announced zero tolerance against bribes and waste in the party leadership, many officials turn canteens into five-star restaurants to maintain their lifestyle. Meanwhile, "dirty" money goes abroad.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - In order to dodge the crusade against the luxury and corruption launched by the Communist Party under newly elected President Xi Jinping, top officials are using canteens for "secret" meetings and live high on the hog. At the same time, more and more politically connected high flyers are sending their money abroad to avoid internal audits.

Officials from four different regions spoke to the South China Morning Post about the trend. In Fujian province for example, many canteens in government departments have been renovated, hiring chefs from the region's finest restaurants.

One official said the renovated canteens were as luxurious as five-star restaurants, with private rooms and fine-dining chefs. This way, there was "no need for officials to go out to dine under the eyes of the public because everything can be done within the government compound".

"Such renovation is not only happening in Fujian, but in many provinces around the country," he added.

Another reason for the underground activity is that if a government bureau fails to spend its entire annual budget it will receive less money the next year. "We can't spend money outside of the bureau, and we can't dine outside," another official said, so renovation was an easy way to make sure the annual budget was used up.

In addition, more and more senior officials and politically connected business people are sending their money abroad.

After Xi Jinping announced greater financial transparency for Communist leaders, the amount of money sent abroad jumped by 40 per cent with Hong Kong and the United States as the most popular destinations.

Launched during his rise to power as the leader of the fifth generation of Communist party leaders, Xi's anti-corruption crusade lacks focus.

As president and party secretary, he warned that scandals and embezzlement would not be tolerated; however, he has not yet set up a system of controls.

In fact, various Chinese experts have warned that the campaign would be useless if it is not based on the rule of law.

• china
• anti-corruption
• campaign
• xi
• jinping
• underground
• spending