Government officials on domestic trips should spend a maximum of 300 yuan (US$43.60) per night for a room at designated hotels, the Ministry of Finance said.

The price for both single rooms and standard rooms are supposed to be 300 yuan or less while a suite should be less than 600 yuan at designated hotels in provincial capitals, the ministry said in a notice posted on its Website.

Hotels prices should be less than the standard in county-level cities, it added.

Most hotels designated to accommodate officials during business trips are supposed to be three stars or less, the notice said.

Officials can stay at four- or five-star hotels if it accepts the standard price, the notice added.

The standard can be raised during peak travel periods, but the price should be no more than double the limit, the notice emphasized.

Officials at all levels are required to submit price details reached with hotels to the ministry for approval before any contracts are reached, the notice said.

Designated hotels across the country will be selected between July and October, the notice said.

(Shanghai Daily June 27, 2008)