Local govts cut out secretary posts

Many local authorities have eliminated secretary positions after several senior officials were sacked from their posts as secretaries to higher-level officials.

Last month, the Party committee in Qufu, Shandong province, eliminated 10 secretary posts to local officials, including secretaries to the Party chief and mayor.

Secretaries are often lower-level officials who are promoted to their position by high-level officials. They work as assistants to government leaders and help them prepare for their daily responsibilities, which include speeches and visits to government agencies. Close working relationships with leaders often lend secretaries a great amount of sway and political power.