An official of a sub-district office in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, was fired after he bought a luxury car with public funds, the Xi'an Evening News reported on Tuesday.

According to the investigation made by the local discipline watchdog, Zhu Puli, director and Party secretary of the city's Wangsi sub-district office, bought an imported luxury SUV, which breached regulations about official cars.

The report said he was the first official punished for buying a luxury vehicle since the central and local governments stated late last year that officials should not buy luxury cars.

The city's discipline watchdog said that officials who are found driving luxury cars will be punished.