More attention should be paid to the implementation of the government's policy of facilitating graduate employment in poor areas, says an article in People's Daily. An excerpt follows:

The government has issued a set of instructions encouraging and guiding college graduates to work in poor areas.

The document itself is well intended, but it also has to be well implemented so that its goals can be realized. This requires the combined efforts of all local government agencies in charge of employment.

For them, the pressing task is to nail down detailed and down-to-earth implementing measures for mobilizing the local college graduates' enthusiasm for taking jobs in poor areas.

Market rules are the pivotal force allocating human resources where they are needed most. However, macro-control policies made by the government are also indispensable.

According to the document, more outstanding college graduates will be assigned work in underdeveloped regions. The experience of working in such a place counts for a lot when it comes to selecting Party cadres.

The most needy areas are poverty-stricken border districts and small towns and villages in western China. Students are encouraged to support the educational, agricultural and medical services and poverty relief programs there.

However, government guidelines need localization and adaptation so they are applicable in different places. As the document does not outline such details, local governments must engage in pioneering research of their own.

Poor regions would be able to attract more college graduates with service-oriented government agencies. They will not be able to attract talent with lucrative salaries, but they could promise fresh graduates tax-cuts or small loans. Most importantly, they could offer a meritocratic environment in which employees could realize their aspirations and talent through business start-ups.

In addition to career development support, the local governments should also show consideration for these young people's daily lives.

(China Daily July 21, 2005)