"Leaders in their 40s have strong political passion and are motivated to realize their goals. This can only benefit the country," Xu said.

"Also, the 'cultural revolution' had affected the country's school education system. Unlike those born earlier, those born in the early 1960s were lucky enough to catch up with the resumed university education after 1976. That is why they have risen so quickly," Xu said.

Their good academic background and expertise has been one of the key factors to their rapid promotions.

For instance, Sun Zhengcai, holds a doctorate degree in agriculture; Xia Yong, the 47-year-old dean of the State Secrecy Bureau, holds a doctorate degree in law; and Pan Yue, the 48-year-old vice-minister of State Environment Protection Administration, holds a doctorate degree in history.

"This group of young officials are more pioneering-minded and innovative," said Mao Shoulong, professor with the Renmin University of China.

"They are the direct beneficiary of the opening up and reform policy. They have experienced both the old conservative policies and the new ones. They are more flexible, and they bring new a spirit to the country," Mao said.

For example, Xia Yong ordered that the death tolls of all disasters should be revealed, immediately after he assumed the power in June 2005. In the past these were kept secret.

Another, Pan Yue, has called for the implementation of green GDP, a way of accounting that takes into consideration environmental costs since 2004, when many central or provincial leaders still place too much emphasis on economic development at the expense of the environment.

Another notable development is that many of these young leaders hold Master or even Phd degrees in law or economics.

For instance, according to a list of 38 provincial or ministerial officials who were born in the 1960s, only three of them hold bachelor degrees, and the rest all hold Master or even doctorate degrees.

They are also from different academic backgrounds, with economics, law and party affairs being their chosen majors.

This is in contrast to the academic backgrounds of the previous government leaders assigned between the 1970s and 1980s - they were mostly technocrats.

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