Universities across China are curbing spending after cuts to their budgets. Several have issued notices urging staff to practice thrift and “live tight lives,” according to mainland outlets The Paper and Sina.
Peking University published its implementation measures on the 11th, reportedly barring units from using public funds for tourism disguised as training. The rules prohibit holding meetings at 21 named scenic areas, including Badaling–Ming Tombs, the Chengde Mountain Resort’s outer temples, Mount Wutai, Taihu Lake, Putuo Mountain, Huangshan, Jiuhua Mountain, Guilin’s Li River, Sanya’s tropical coastline and Jiuzhaigou–Huanglong.
Anhui Jianzhu University issued its own rules in August. Reimbursement of research-related meals now requires a registration form, invoice, menu and corporate card record. Cigarettes, alcohol, expensive dishes and playing cards, which are unrelated to research, cannot be claimed.
Beijing Forestry University said on the 9th that money should be spent “where it should be spent.” Staff are asked to buy lower-priced airfares first, keep the number and duration of research and business trips to a minimum, and avoid travel over statutory holidays.
Shanxi University of Finance and Trade Vocational and Technical College held a meeting the same day on budget controls. It vowed to curb frequent budget adjustments, put special government funds first in payments, and end spending for its own sake. Hosting colleagues from within the same city is barred. Travel costs above the standard will not be reimbursed. Meetings may not offer tea-break fruit, and display boards may not use costly production methods. The college also told relevant departments to handle students’ fee-related concerns properly and explain the policy to them.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 17, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202609170103.aspx