Many Guizhou provincial authorities have decided to cancel their annual dinners in an effort to conserve annual gathering budgets and use the funds to help those living in poverty, Guizhou Daily reported on Feb 6.

The Guizhou Provincial Department of Civil Affairs canceled its annual gala and held a work deployment conference instead.

The Guizhou Women's Federation and Disabled Persons' Federation decided to use their celebration budget to help struggling women, empty-nesters and left behind children in rural areas during the Chinese New Year.

"The decision is highly meaningful and extremely useful. What we have saved can help people who need financial support," said an official from the Guizhou Women's Federation.