The top discipline watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) punished 6,184 officials in July for violating the CPC's frugality code of conduct.

The officials, including two at ministerial level, were involved in 4,342 cases of wrongdoings, according to a statement on the website of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

More than a quarter of the cases involve the payment of illegal allowances to employees. Other offenses include improperly using official vehicles, and giving or accepting gifts against rules.

More than 35,000 officials had been punished for violating the CPC austerity rules in the first seven months of 2017, the CCDI said.

The CCDI has been publishing such violations monthly in a bid to deter officials and correct undesirable work styles.