Song Shimin's election as deputy head of Ganyu County was nothing less than another democratic landmark. At 48 he became the first rural entrepreneur to hold a post at this level in a local administration. Song is a former secretary of the Party committee of Songkou Village in Ganyu County in east China's Jiangsu Province.

His election can be solely attributed to his outstanding personal qualities and track record. His key role in the local people's congress is a testament to the trust and confidence he has earned from the people.

Not once but twice, following his appointment as branch secretary in 1995, Song sold his own car to help raise the funds needed to develop the local economy. Thanks to his efforts some twenty doctoral level academics and specialists applied their expertise to help the village with its river crab hatchery project. His vision helped Songkou become the country's main center in the field. And what's more it has become well known throughout the country for its prosperity.

In 1998 the Research and Development Center of the State Council recognized the village as the "Number One Village in Northern Jiangsu".

In 1999 he set up the Yucheng Group to integrate hatcheries, aquaculture and food processing. Already the group generates an annual profit of some 6 billion yuan and contributes 1.4 billion yuan to the local GNP.

In recent years the increasingly broad representation of those being elected to deputy head positions has attracted media attention. There have been headlines announcing the election of an academic and also the much publicized election of crosstalk star, Niu Qun at county head level. All this has served to trigger a wider debate about suitability for and indeed opportunity for election to the office of county head.

There are those who say that matters concerning the office should not be reported as hot news items and that it is inappropriate for the role to be used as a vehicle for self promotion. Compared with a senior academic or a celebrity from the world of entertainment, Song Shemin does not have a high profile and his election barely made a ripple in the pool of media attention. Yet the significance of his success runs deep for it highlights a current of pragmatism in local government and is indicative of solid progress in grassroots democracy. It shows respect for and accountability to his local constituency.

Today in China few holders of high office in local government have risen from a rural background. However Song's election points the way to an increasing trend for farmers to climb the ladder of success. They have just the same rights to stand for election as people from other walks of life. His election emphasizes that one's family background, academic record or seniority may not be the decisive factors in achieving high public office.

The very fact that Song's election is considered remarkable demonstrates the need to revisit long-standing and now outdated practices. Barriers in selection procedures should be lifted so as not to obstruct the path of social democratic development.

(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong June 18, 2003)