The civil service of the People's Republic of China consists of civil servants of all levels who run the day-to-day affairs in mainland China.
Levels
Civil servants are found in a well-defined system of ranks. The rank of a civil servant determines what positions he/she may assume in the government or the military, how much political power he/she gets, and the level of benefits in areas such as transportation and healthcare.
According to the Temporary Regulations for National Civil Servants (国家公务员暂行条例), civil servants are put into a total of fifteen levels. The levels are:
- Premier of the People's Republic of China, Level 1
- Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China and members of the State Council, Levels 2-3
- Leading roles of ministries or equivalents (正部级), or of provinces or equivalents (省级), Levels 3-4
- Assisting roles of ministries or equivalents (副部级), or of provinces or equivalents (副省级), Levels 4-5
- Leading roles of departments or equivalents (正司级 / 正厅级), or of prefectures or equivalents (地级), or counsels (巡视员) Levels 5-7
- Assisting roles of departments or equivalents (副司级 / 副厅级), of prefectures or equivalents (副地级), or assistant counsels (助理巡视员) Levels 6-8
- Leading roles of divisions or equivalents (正处级), of counties or equivalents (县级), or consultants (调研员), Levels 7-10
- Assisting roles of divisions or equivalents (副处级), of counties or equivalents (副县级), or assistant consultants (助理调研员), Levels 8-11
- Leading roles of sections or equivalents (正科级), of townships or equivalents (乡级), Levels 9-12
- Assisting roles of sections or equivalents (副科级), of townships or equivalents (副乡级), Levels 9-13
- Staff members (科员), Levels 9-14
- Clerks (办事员), Levels 10-15
History
China has had a tradition of maintaining a large and well-organized civil service. In ancient times eligibility for employment in the civil service was determined by an Imperial examination system.
See also
Last updated: 05-07-2005 17:55:19
