The country's top discipline watchdog instructed its subordinates nationwide on Tuesday to watch closely for possible lavish banquets and gifts paid for with public funds during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday.

Officials nationwide have been warned not to spend public money on gifts such as luxury moon-cakes - a popular food that Chinese people give and enjoy during the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 19 this year, according to a circular issued by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China.

The circular, the latest move by the Party to halt extravagance, also bans lavish banquets, entertainment and travel activities paid for with public funds, as well as the over-issuing of subsidies or bonuses to officials ahead of and during the two holidays.