Chinese company executives warned of privilege request

An article on the website of the Communist Party of China (CPC) discipline body warned heads of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to follow the Party's frugality regulations, criticizing greed and sense of privilege.

The economic importance of SOEs must not override the CPC rules, said the article on the website of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, adding that those executives must be aware of Party rules and codes of conduct.

Some SOE heads have acted like they were above the rules and codes and sought out "larger offices and better cars," the article said.

Flying in the face of the CPC austerity campaign, some SOE executives have even asked flexibility of being allowed to organize banquets paid for with public funds, or hold business meetings on golf courses or in exclusive clubs, the article said.

Some executives are indifferent to Party rules and equate themselves to heads of private or foreign enterprises, it said.