The Chinese government has issued a new directive banning “bizarre architecture”, and criticising some of the “oversized, xenocentric, weird” buildings in the country.

China will no longer allow the most unusual building plans, a government directive stated Sunday. The State Council is following up on past pledges to end the trend of outlandish architecture.

Under the new directive, buildings are to be “economical, functional, aesthetically pleasing” and “environmentally friendly”.