Some local human resources experts have criticized the current
standards for the assessment of skills and capabilities and say the
criteria are outdated and must be revised to meet the changing
situation.
Even Bill Gates would not be regarded as "talented" under the
current standards adopted by the municipal government of Shanghai
in its effort to introduce badly-needed professionals from outside
the region, said Shen Ronghua, director of the Shanghai Public
Administration and Human Resources.
Under the current regulations, a "talent" must, at least, have a
university degree, but the Microsoft boss quit university when he
started his own business which has turned into one of the largest
IT empires in the world.
Lin Yuanpei, a local architect who designed the four bridges
that span the Huangpu River in Shanghai, can not be regarded as a
"talent", because he is but a graduate of a secondary school.
According to Shen, the existing criteria for "talented people"
was issued by the government in 1982, when only a handful of people
had a higher education background. At that time, a secondary school
graduate was a "talent".
Meanwhile, some people have suggested that the government relax
rules on the employment of foreign nationals.
Qin Dahe, director of the State Meteorological Bureau, said the
leadership of the bureau had planned to recruit someone to replace
the outgoing director of the Chinese Institute of Meteorology,
regardless of the candidates' nationality.
Chen Deliang, who studied overseas a decade ago and is now a
Swedish national, was seen as the most competitive candidate for
the position. But finally, someone else took the position, because
under the existing law, foreign nationals are not allowed to work
as government officials at prefecture level or higher.
The employment of foreign nationals is not as simple as it
seems, Qin confessed. It is an issue related to the laws on
nationality and the protection of state secrets, as well as foreign
affairs, judicial and public security departments.
Chen, who looked somewhat disappointed, said: "When I am in a
foreign country, foreigners call me Chinese, but when I come to
China, I am treated as a foreigner."
In western countries, nationality is never a problem for working
as the director of a research body, Chen noted. He urged the
government to deal with the issue, saying it has become an obstacle
for overseas Chinese who want to work for the motherland.
(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2003)