As Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency was shaking up federal agencies in America with deep spending cuts, bureaucrats in China were also feeling the heat.
Since mid-March, thousands of Chinese officials have been scrambling to comply with President Xi Jinping’s austerity orders – making sure their offices are modest, their meal receipts are in order and returning any lavish gifts – as inspectors carry out checks.
The campaign has been running since 2012 and takes aim at overspending among Communist Party and government bodies.
It covers spending and protocol in areas ranging from official events to buildings and travel, with the goals of improving the ruling party’s image, stamping out corruption and cutting wasteful spending.
Analysts say it also has to do with making sure “every cent” is spent wisely so that China can prevail in its rivalry with the United States. It is also seen as a way to find promising cadres who follow the rules and show political loyalty, and could be candidates for promotion.
But questions have been raised over the effectiveness of the campaign given the strict control over the media in China and with no independent watchdog, as well as the difficulty of enforcing its detailed rules on a vast scale.
Elon Musk (left) made his exit from Washington last month. Photo: TNS
