CHINA DISCIPLINE INSPECTION and Supervision Daily, a newspaper affiliated to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, the top anti-corruption watchdog, said golf is a sport, and there is no right or wrong in playing golf itself. Beijing News commented on Wednesday:

Party rules ban members from taking part in sports and entertainments that might affect their work, and prohibit members from accepting prepaid cards from shops, fitness centers, leisure clubs and sports clubs.

However, the rules do not ban members of the Party or civil service from playing golf that is paid for at their own expenses and which does not affect their work.