Yesterday, national legislators in Beijing approved the State
Council's decision to appoint Gao Qiang as Minister of Health and
passed the country's first Civil Servant Law at the final session
of their four-day meeting.
The 61-year-old Gao, an economics graduate of Beijing-based
Renmin University, was promoted from his position as Executive Vice
Health Minister to replace Vice-Premier Wu Yi in
the top health job.
He started his career in Hebei
Province's Financial Department and worked in the Ministry of
Finance and as deputy secretary general of the State Council before
moving to the health ministry.
The Law on Civil Servants was passed after undergoing two
reviews by NPC Standing Committee members. To take effect on
January 1 next year, it extends the rights and responsibilities of
officials, clarifying accountability and recruitment standards.
"The law will help civil servants have a clearer perception of
their responsibilities and performance standards," said Hou
Jianliang, Vice Minister of Personnel.
According to the law, officials should quit their posts if their
negligence causes major losses or serious social repercussions.
It also stipulates that all public servants should be recruited
through open and fair examinations. At present, there are still
some who are directly engaged or transferred from civilian
organizations.
Hou said there were about 6.37 million civil servants and over
30 million personnel working in public-funded organizations across
the country by the end of 2003.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2005)