Young Chinese show increasing interest in working as intl civil servants

Despite growing wealth and clout, China's representation on international bodies falls far short of its relative influence. While the government and international organizations have been attempting to tackle this problem, they are facing problems in terms of skill shortages and public perceptions. The situation is improving, but there is still a long way to go in tackling this shortfall, which is viewed as a key aspect of China's soft power push.

"China has become the world's second largest economy and now shoulders greater international responsibility. But we haven't made adequate preparations. Both the number and ranks of international civil servants from China fall short."

Song Yunfu made these comments as one of the few Chinese to have climbed the echelons of the international civil service - in his case, to become a senior external official with the World Health Organization (WHO). He was highlighting the fact that Chinese civil servants are underrepresented among staff in key international organizations, with fewer representatives than other developing countries like India, Pakistan and Brazil, despite China's larger population and economic clout.

But there are those within China and the United Nations (UN) who are trying to change this situation.

"International public servants are the bridge between our country and the world. They represent the image of China and its diplomacy. They play an irreplaceable role in developing the rules of the international order and gaining more say for China," Song said.

As the country's economy has grown, so too has its influence. In the past, the tag "Made in China" was enough of a calling card for the country, but these days there are a growing number of voices like Song's, which argue that "Voices for China" would be a better approach.

After 14 years of experience in international affairs, Song wrote a book, Being an International Public Servant - Experience in Job-seeking, Taking the Job, and Getting Promoted which was published in 2011.

"We urgently need to train qualified international talent," Song told the Global Times. "It's encouraging that the government has recognized this, and now a new era is beginning."

Underrepresented

"Would you like to work in the UN?"

On July 13, the UN's Chinese Sina Weibo microblog released a recruitment notice that highlighted the Young Professional Program (YPP) examinations, the key way to join the UN Secretariat.

"As long as you hold at least a first-level university degree, are 32 or younger and can speak either English or French fluently, you can apply for the exams and become an International civil servant," the post said.

This represented the second year the UN held YPP examinations in China. The examinees who pass the four and a half hour paper test in Beijing then go on to a round of interviews and if successful enter the UN talent pool.

The fields open to applicants this year include information systems and technology, political affairs, economic affairs, radio production, human rights and photography.

The post generated significant attention among Chinese job hunters, especially among college graduates - which was perhaps unsurprising, given the fact new graduates reached a record high of 7.27 million this year.

Meanwhile, between July 6 and 15, in a room within Shanghai International Studies University, 102 students from universities across the country were receiving international civil servant preparatory training. It was the fourth year the UN Association of China held these classes, jointly with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS).