Nearly 5,000 officials were punished for squandering public funds in the first half of this year, according to the Ministry of Supervision (MOS).

The government took disciplinary action ranging from warnings to dismissal against 4,866 officials from the Communist Party of China and government bodies, after an investigation found their use of funds violated rules.

The joint investigation of officials suspected of using public funds for banquets, overseas tours, luxury cars or entertainment was launched earlier this year by the MOS, the Ministry of Finance, National Office of Audit, Government Offices Administration of the State Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.