Chinese fire-fighting officials and their spouse and children are banned from running companies related to fire-fighting facilities and fire protection materials, according a new regulation issued Monday.

They are also prohibited from providing fire protection services, said the regulation issued by the Fire Bureau under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to combat corruption among fire-fighting forces.

It prohibited officials from taking advantage of their posts for illegal profit in fire prevention inspection and approvals for construction projects, fire accident investigations and supervision of fire-fighting facilities.

They are also forbidden from taking bribes in construction projects related to the force, material purchasing, in the appointment and removal of officials, personnel transfer and promotion, and new member recruitment, the regulation noted.

Those who violate the regulation will be seriously punished in accordance with the law and expelled from the force, it said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)