Yantai, an open coastal city in east China's Shandong Province, is seeking doctorate holders from across the country to fill seven county magistrate-level positions, according to a news briefing held in the city Tuesday.

The posts include those of deputy director of the Yantai Development Planning Commission, deputy director of the Yantai Economic and Trade Commission and deputy director of the Yantai Science and Technology Bureau.

Yantai is not alone in inviting highly educated people to fill government positions. The practice has actually become a fad in China.

In July, 2001, northeast China's Liaoning Province offered 44 prominent government positions to Chinese students studying abroad. These included four mayoral assistants, an assistant to the head of the provincial foreign trade and economic cooperation department and assistant to the head of the provincial construction department.

In recruiting government officials, south China's Guangzhou City has even promulgated a policy that explicitly tilts the balance in favor of highly educated personnel, especially doctorate holders.

Analysts here said this phenomenon is conducive to China's reform and opening to the outside world. "It will help improve the performance of the government, and create a better investment environment for foreign investors," said an analyst.

In addition, they pointed out that the recruitment of government officials in China is becoming more open and fair. People with talent, capability and higher learning now enjoy better chances in this regard.

(China Daily April 3, 2002)