Luxury clubs tied to graft to be closed

A senior official from the city's top anti-graft body has promised to shut down or rebuild, by the end of June, 10 private luxury clubs and restaurants that once attracted senior Party and government officials.

"The clubs, located in scenic areas and parks in the city, have illegally occupied public resources and become hotbeds of corruption," said Mei Heqing, a member of the standing committee of the Guangzhou Party Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The private clubs to be reconstructed include the Pinyunzuo restaurant in Guangzhou's Baiyunshan scenic spot and the Jufangyuan private club in Luhu park, Mei said at a news conference on Monday.

Wan Qingliang, former Party chief of Guangzhou, is said to have frequently visited the two establishments for luxury private banquets when he was in office, even after anti-graft authorities issued special notices banning such activities.

Wan, 50, who was placed under investigation in June for serious violations of Party discipline, is also suspected of accepting large bribes. He was subsequently expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office for corruption and now faces charges from prosecutors.

"After reconstruction, the two restaurants, with their luxury interior decor, will have popular low-priced dishes to serve ordinary residents and tourists," said Mei who is also deputy director of the Guangzhou city bureau supervision.

Mei said no Party or government officials from the southern metropolis are allowed to visit private clubs or restaurants using members-only systems.

He promised that anti-graft bodies and other departments in the city will expand inspections, both publicly and privately, of luxury restaurants and private clubs in the coming months.

"And those who are found to have violated the ban will be seriously punished according to laws and relevant regulations," he said.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn