Civil service no longer seen as El Dorado

A 29-YEAR-OLD MAN in Central China's Henan province has reportedly taken 62 civil service examinations at all levels during the last eight years. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Thursday:

Many may find the dedicated Henan examinee's unusual achievement bewildering, even suggest his efforts are foolish, since the married man has reportedly spent about 90,000 yuan ($14,000) just to take the exams in one place or another even though he does not have a permanent job and is struggling most of the time to support his family. But he believes becoming a civil servant will be worth all the money and effort, and his choice should be respected.

Being a civil servant is still regarded by some as a profession second to none. But the truth is, although government posts still have their advantages, they are just normal jobs and no longer privileged positions for a select few.