An official in south China's Guangdong Province was sacked recently for holding an extravagant funeral for his mother, the Guangdong provincial discipline watchdog has announced.

Xie Pingfa, former director of the highway bureau of Lufeng City of Guangdong Province, held the funeral for his mother on Nov. 17. He organized more than 1,000 people, including eight officials and workers in his bureau, for memorial service and funeral procession.

After the ceremony, Xie hosted 100-table banquets at two venues, treating guests for the funeral.

The extravagant funeral caused a stir among local residents, and the Guangdong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) investigated the case.

Based on investigation, the Commission decided to strip Xie of his post because the case had caused "a bad social influence", according to a report released by the Commission.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2008)