An investigation conducted by China's National Bureau of Statistics in March discovered that in 2012, departmental-level cadres from the central government averaged 1.1 dining functions per week while department-level cadres from provincial governments averaged slightly higher at 1.3. At the grassroots level expenditures are higher with Mayors averaging 15.1 public-funded meals a week, and County Heads averaging 18.2, or the equivalent of 3.6 a day, in a five-day working week.

The deputy financial chief of an unnamed county told Beijing News that since Xi Jinping initiated the 'frugality' campaign, their province had saved around 14 million yuan (US$2.2 million) in travel and meal expenses. In the first 10 months of 2013, the funds dedicated to paying for receptions dropped by 30%, the official said, adding that the budget for receiving guests by the average public servant was also reduced from 10,000 yuan (US$1,600) a year to 9,000 yuan (US$1,440).