It looks like military parties in China are going to lose a little bit of social lubrication, according to an article published by Reuters this Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012.
Top Communist Party officials have now banned the military from hosting banquets with alcohol while working. The decision was handed down by Communist Party Chief Xi Jinping and is now the law of the land.
The ban extends beyond mere celebrations and booze. The Chinese government is also barring senior military from staying in luxury hotels while on duty and it plans to curtail the extent of the celebration, cutting back on welcome banners, flowers, honor guards, and other things at official receptions.
So, why the sudden move against alcoholic beverages and acts of luxury? Well, before anyone gets their civil liberty and human rights political sensibilities in a red state of turmoil, it must be noted that the move has nothing to do with government crackdowns on basic rights to consume and behave as one pleases. No, this crackdown is something completely different. It applies only to the military and it is an effort to fight corruption, or the perception of corruption. The Chinese Communist Party has watched as one scandal after another has plagued the country and the reputation of the ruling party and is looking for ways to reverse the trend.
Okay, so how does booze and luxury fit into all of this? Well, the Chinese government is convinced that these extravagant celebrations and receptions are prime breeding grounds for bribes and other forms of corruption. The Chinese military has already been accused of overstepping the boundaries of good taste and legality more than once at these expensive, all- out, rock ‘til you drop celebrations. If cutting back on them through the banning of adult beverages and luxurious accompaniments makes some headway into the problem or at least gives the perception that things are moving in that direction, then the move is justified, at least in the minds of the ruling Chinese government.
The ban on alcohol comes at a time when the Chinese Communist Party is struggling to maintain its image amidst growing public concern that the party is scandalous, disengaged, morally corrupt, and out of touch with the public. The public is growing increasingly impatient and is looking for better leadership from its ruling elite.
Whether or not this crackdown on alcohol consumption and expensive celebrations makes any real difference remains to be seen, but until the Chinese Communist Party improves its standing with the people, military personnel will have to look for other, less intoxicating ways to ease the stress of the day and celebrate with their comrades.
Article originally posted at Examiner.com
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