Political education is a key part of government policy, and it is quite rare for a government body to admit difficulties in enforcing such laws. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Democratic League, a minority political party in China, recently attracted about 10,000 applicants. The vacant position was "China Democratic League public reception staff."
The position is not a prestigious one. However, with the strong government anti-corruption campaign, screening has been tougher for government postings.
"Some jobs have attracted many people because they have broader requirements for education and professional and work experience," civil service spokesman Li Zhong said.
Other postings for far flung areas saw almost no applicants. According to Li, few people apply for the post because of the location.
The job required only a bachelor's degree and two years of "grassroots level" experience. The qualifications are simple and many applicants saw that they were fit for the job.
According to Xiong Bingqi, vice director at the Beijing-based 21st Century Education Research Institute, "The popularity of the job has a lot to do with its low requirements. To most people, this is just an easy way to be a civil servant."
Xiong believed that the limited number of civil service jobs is not enough with the growing number of graduates.
"Chinese universities are recruiting more and more students," he said. "But the Chinese economy traditionally relies on heavy industries and the service sector isn't as strong. So there just aren't as many good jobs."
A government job is still prestigious in China and is considered an unlimited source of income. Positions in government are stable and oftentimes, permanent.
Microbloggers at Sina Weibo are mostly frustrated.
One blogger posted, "What's the point? If you can't get in, your relatives will look down on you. If you do get in, then your relatives will hassle you on a daily basis to pull strings for them."
"Many of those applying do so because they really can't find a job, or their current job is not good, it's got nothing to do with corruption," said another netizen.
