The Communist Party of China's top anti-graft body said on Wednesday that 19,000 officials were punished for violating frugality rules in the first half of this year, bringing the total number of those punished since late 2012 to more than 120,000.

Those punished in the first six months of this year were involved in 14,000 cases, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a report posted on its website.

Among the 19,000 punished officials, about 17,000 are of low township levels, and two are of senior ministerial levels, according to the commission.

Violating the rules on usage of government vehicles ranks top among all the misbehaviors, including lavish banquets and overseas sightseeing trips on public funds.

The figures represent a significant drop from last year, when more than 71,000 officials were reprimanded in more than 53,000 cases, signaling that the "eight-point rules" introduced in 2012 aimed at reducing bureaucracy, extravagance and undesirable work habits may be taking effect.

However, the CCDI said that the number of violations and officials involved has been on the rise since March.

In June, more than 4,300 officials were reprimanded in more than 3,100 cases, it said.

Violations include using work vehicles for personal errands, providing unauthorized subsidies and holding extravagant receptions, weddings and funerals.

Xinhua - China Daily