The clickety-clack sound of mahjong tiles is heard less often these days in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province.

In March 2013, Guiyang introduced a "No Mahjong" policy and last week the Guiyang discipline inspection commission issued a statement saying the policy meant the game cannot be played by officials and Party members at work, in any public place or with people where it could give rise to financially compromising situations, shorthand for gambling or taking bribes.

"It is OK if playing mahjong is only for fun, but it cannot be confused with gambling," said Ruan Jing, an inspector of the policy research office of the provincial Party committee.