Quotable

Fewer applicants this year means that more people will treat this exam rationally. It can give more opportunities to test takers who really want to work for the country and people."

Wu Wenbin, an expert from Zhonggong Education, a test-preparation company, estimated that nearly 340,000 people applied to take the national civil service examination as of Monday morning, about 100,000 fewer applicants than at the same time last year. This year's 10-day registration period will run through Friday, with at least 22,200 government spots to be filled, an all-time high. Such jobs are seen as an opportunity for a stable life, good pension plan, handsome salary and upward mobility.