Beijing: President Xi Jinping's white-knuckled anti-corruption crackdown has engulfed another unsuspecting victim: this time the humble mooncake, a mainstay of China's annual mid-autumn festival.

Elegantly gift-wrapped boxes of the dense, calorific pastries have long been exchanged among families and friends for the traditional festival, which falls on Thursday this year.

China is cracking down on expensive gifts and mooncakes during this year's mid-Autumn festival. Credit:Sanghee Liu

The treats have become notorious for over-the-top extravagance and are a sickly-sweet vehicle for casual bribery.

But this year, lavish varieties stuffed with abalone and shark's fin and topped with gold flakes - which used to sell for more than $1000 - are now scarcely seen.