China Exec Terminated Over Son’s 3-Day Lavish Wedding Rites
A state official of the China's ruling Communist Party was sacked Tuesday after the reported three-day lavish wedding celebration of his son amounting to over 1.6 million yuan ($260,000). Such move amplified the government's intent to restrict government staff from extravagant lifestyle and curb any form of graft and corruption.
Reports claimed Ma Linxiang, a deputy village chief from the Beijing suburb of Qingheying, earlier spent over 200,000 yuan ($32,660) to treat villagers and friends during his son's wedding.
"I did not do anything special but conformed to the village traditions," Chinese media quoted Ma saying. He noted he even received $10,000 from villagers who had chipped in.
He cited it was the parents of his daughter-in-law who shouldered majority of the wedding expenses.
"I know the strictures and that we should not have done what we did, but the in-laws were determined, and I could not dissuade them," Ma said.
He added his son's wife came from a wealthy family in the eastern province of Jiangsu.
However, the local discipline inspection commission who investigated the lavish wedding noted there was no evidence showing Ma used the public funds. But the commission reiterated the extravagant wedding held during the National Day still contradicted the party's rules.
Beijing News reported some of the celebrations were even held at the China National Convention Center, which earlier was used for 2008 Beijing Olympics. Entertainers were even hired to perform for the wedding guests. A slew of luxury cars were also seen.