China’s regulation on building construction by government agencies and public organizations will take effect on Dec 1, according to a State Council decree signed by Premier Li Keqiang.

The regulation, passed at the State Council executive meeting on Aug 18, includes 31 articles under six chapters, mainly concerning project approvals, construction capital, supervision and checkups, and legal responsibilities.

The construction not only refers to newly constructed buildings, but also expansion, reconstruction and purchase of buildings. The buildings can include training centers and other facilities that provide accommodations, meetings and catering as well as offices.

According to the regulation, government agencies and public organizations should deliver the proposal, research report, and preliminary design for approval, and follow the principles of simplicity, practicality, safety and energy saving before starting construction.

The construction should strictly comply with the approval, whose funds must be appropriated from the national treasury.

Any office project that is deemed unnecessary or has an unqualified capital source or substandard construction content or scale, should not be approved, said the regulation.

The construction capital should not come from misappropriated special funds, borrowed from financial institutions, or received as donations.

The approval, fiscal, audit and supervision bodies are all responsible for overseeing and appraising the performance of the construction.

Any violation of the regulation will receive punishment, or be criminally liable if severe, as stated in the regulation.