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Passing the tests

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-10 08:06

Only the toughest grass withstands the strongest wind, and only the strongest character stands a severe test. This ancient Chinese saying may be used to describe how local officials showed their true mettle during the earthquake in Sichuan province.

Some actively organized rescue work immediately after the quake and had even no time to come to the rescue of their own family members, some did a very good job in keeping the local government and the Party organization functioning normally. But there are a few who demonstrated their selfishness and incompetence in those times of emergency.

The Sichuan provincial government and the Party committee had conducted a survey among local residents and villagers about how well their local leaders behaved themselves during the rescue and relief operations.

The fact that 50 local officials have been promoted to higher positions for their outstanding performance and 28 others have been given penalties or even dismissed for failing to do their jobs well sends a message that there is a strong force of local officials at the grassroots level. Their excellent performance has contributed tremendously to orderly rescue in the quake-affected areas.

The way these officials were promoted or demoted needs to be lauded as setting a good precedent. Public opinions were solicited and local people's congresses were organized to hear what local residents say about their leaders.

A local community official did an excellent job by organizing a successful evacuation of some 6,000 residents, with only six killed and more than 20 injured. This official has been promoted to a highr position.

It is right for the Sichuan provincial government to reshuffle the lineup of its local governments as the unexpected calamity has offered a chance for officials, those at the grassroots level in particular, to demonstrate their qualities as competent leaders.

As for the rest of the country, the important thing to learn from Sichuan's example is that public opinion must play an important role in the selection and appointment of leaders at different levels.

This mechanism should function as a reminder to the officials that they are given the power only to serve the interests of the general public. We cannot expect only a natural disaster like an earthquake to test the officials' performance, but a good mechanism for supervision will find out how well they do their job.

(China Daily 06/10/2008 page8)