Beijing, China – In yet another move by China to tackle rampant corruption, the country has introduced a ban on the construction of new government buildings, training centres, and hotels over the next five years.

Officials say the ban is part of a campaign to prove that public money is being used wisely and crackdowns on corruption are underway. The new directive was issued last week.

Observers see the move as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s growing fight against official graft.

“The directive calls on all … government bodies to be frugal and ensure that government funds and resources are spent on developing the economy and boosting the public’s well-being,” the official Xinhua news agency reported. “The construction, purchase, restoration or expansion of office compounds that is done in the guise of building repair or urban planning will be strictly forbidden.”

One of the most unpopular buildings in China is a Western-style government office in the city of Fuyang in eastern Anhui province. The building cost nearly 30m yuan ($4.89m).

Many analysts say the battle against corruption will not be an easy one inside the Communist Party of China.