Candidates for senior positions in some Chinese provinces and municipalities need to pass law exams if they want the job, according to new local regulations.

The people's congresses of Beijing, Zhejiang, Chongqing, Guizhou and Qinghai have required the tests.

"Results of the exams will be used as one of the criteria to determine whether the candidates will be appointed," said an official with the central government office charged with law publicity.

People's congresses held the power to hire and fire senior officials, including government head and heads of judicial organs.

China began a five-year campaign to promote awareness of the law in 2006 in a continued effort to promote the "rule of law". Civil servants are listed as a priority for legal awareness.

Four previous campaigns had targeted leading officials.

The official said public awareness and knowledge of the law had increased steadily as a result of the campaigns, which also prompted public organs to review their operations to conform with the law.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2006)