BEIJING, Dec. 27-- Chinese officials and police at all levels have been asked to step up safety precautions in key regions and be on alert against terrorist attacks and sabotage activities during New Year's Day and the Spring Festival.

"All-out efforts should made to ensure social stability and harmony," said a circular issued Friday by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, China's cabinet.

"Related departments should handle 'letters and visits' (petitions) well and solve problems that have aroused strong public complaints properly so as to prevent mass incidents at their root," the circular said.

Meanwhile, officials at all levels have been asked to practice frugality.

Tea parties and evening galas should be further reduced and simplified, the circular said.

Echoing previous anti-decadence and extravagance moves, officials are also banned from using public funds for gift giving, expensive recreational or body-building activities, New Year cards, fireworks, liquor, flower, food, trips not related to official activities, and handing out unnecessary bonuses.

The central authorities also asked officials to stay clean by refraining from accepting gifts, money, securities, pre-paid commercial cards, as well as gambling.

In a separate circular issued Friday, the CPC disciplinary agency vowed to seriously deal with violations and make cases public by naming violators.

In addition, the central authorities asked governments at various levels to help needy people while maintaining market order during the festival season.

The central authorities asked local governments to step up the inspection of pipelines transmitting petroleum and gas, as well as on fire-safety measures, workplace safety, coal mining sectors, and fireworks factories.

Officials are encouraged to visit poverty-stricken areas and ensure timely distribution of allowances to residents affected by natural disasters, low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly who lack family support, the circular said.

Authorities should enhance inspection targeting employers who default on payments to migrant workers from rural areas, the circular said.

Efforts should also be made to stabilize consumer prices and ensure a stable supply of power and daily necessities, it said.

Next year's Spring Festival, China's most important traditional festival, falls on Jan. 31.