China Warns Against Needless Trips Abroad

China has warned officials not to take foreign trips for personal reasons under the guise of “fact-finding” and “friendship,” the New China News Agency said Tuesday.

It said it had been common over the last few years for officials to abuse their power by vying with each other to make trips abroad, even if they knew nothing about the stated purpose of the visit.

“Some fact-finding delegations included too many non-professionals and non-experts. A few asked foreigners and overseas Chinese for money and other presents,” it said.