Gov't appointee has humble roots, criticism unfounded

(Ecns.cn) -- Last December, a 22-year-old Tsinghua graduate named Jiao Sanniu was appointed deputy dean of the overseas Chinese affairs office in Wuwei City, Gansu Province, arousing heated discussions about his family background.

Many netizens accused Jiao of being an 'officialling', or candidate of the 'rich second generation'. Some even called the move 'Turnip Recruitment'.

Wuwei's Choice

Unlike its Chinese name, which means powerful, Wuwei City is in many respects underdeveloped. Talent like "Jiao Sanniu" is badly needed.

Among the 800 leaders in the city, 90 percent are locals and only 42 have the relevant professional background for their posts. During the 12th five-year plan period, officialdom will need to swell its ranks by about 52,400. Though Wuwei wants to draw more talent to the city, few are optimistic it will succeed.

In 2010, eleven top vacancies in Wuwei's industrial park were opened to country-wide competition. However, only 20 people applied for the jobs, twelve of whom met the requirements.

Gansu Province and Wuwei City signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Tsinghua University in 2009 and 2010. The agreement commits both to strengthen joint efforts in areas such as talent cultivation, training and other important strategies.

In 2010 and 2011, Wuwei drew seven Tsinghua graduates to the city. After his own graduation in July 2011, Jiao Sanniu was assigned to work in Qingshui town, Liangzhou district.

Last December, Wuwei City opened 31 deputy-leadership vacancies at the county level. Applicants for the jobs were restricted to those who graduated from '211' universities with two years of working experience in Wuwei, and Tsinghua graduates already working in the city.

The recruiting procedures identified 31 candidates qualified for the posts, the youngest one being Jiao Sanniu born in 1989.

Youngest Jiao no different

Jiao Sanniu never expected to be tagged as an 'officialling', or a member of the 'rich second generation'.He hails from a poor farming community in Xinjiang County, Shanxi Province where his whole family works the land. He performed very well in school and was enrolled in Tsinghua University to study English in 2007.

"Because I was born in poverty, I have a deeper understanding about life in the countryside. I want to do something good for the nation and realize my life's value by working in the most needy areas of China." Jiao said.

Newly graduated Jiao was selected to go to Gansu Province along with 13 other Tsinghua graduates, and soon struck a rapport with local villagers. One surnamed Sun said, "Jiao always helped us with our farm work; it's easy to see that he's from the countryside."

Jiao Sanniu earned first place in the civil service placement exams. Ba Yuzhu, who applied for the same position but failed, said that he could sense the gap between Jiao and himself, and he would study hard and try again next time.

As is known, all 31 candidates received public notification of their status and the government holds high expectations for its new members.