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Jointly issued by the Communist Party's Central Committee and the State Council, these regulations are described as the most comprehensive yet in a string of austerity measures initiated under President Xi Jinping. As local governments face tight budgets, the rules target extravagant expenditures on government vehicles, lavish meals, and so-called "white elephant" projects. Specifically, costly dishes, alcohol, and cigarettes are prohibited at official functions. The regulations also mark a push for simpler meeting protocols and a ban on unnecessary gatherings.