Some officials have modest education

SHANGHAI: Most officials in China must not only have tried-and-true capabilities, but also be well educated. But educational background seems to have taken a back seat to experience with the recent appointments of high-ranking officials with less prominent academic backgrounds.

Jiang Hongkun, former mayor of Jiangsu's provincial capital of Nanjing, was appointed on Tuesday as the Party secretary of Suzhou, the most prosperous city within the province. But Jiang's educational background - an on-the-job junior college diploma - offers a sharp contrast to his three predecessors, all with doctoral degrees.

He is not alone. Jiang Liang, who was appointed director of Shanghai's Pudong District early this month, is also an on-the-job junior college diploma holder.