Yesterday, national legislators in Beijing approved the State Council's decision to appoint Gao Qiang as Minister of Health and passed the country's first Civil Servant Law at the final session of their four-day meeting.

The 61-year-old Gao, an economics graduate of Beijing-based Renmin University, was promoted from his position as Executive Vice Health Minister to replace Vice-Premier Wu Yi in the top health job.

He started his career in Hebei Province's Financial Department and worked in the Ministry of Finance and as deputy secretary general of the State Council before moving to the health ministry.

The Law on Civil Servants was passed after undergoing two reviews by NPC Standing Committee members. To take effect on January 1 next year, it extends the rights and responsibilities of officials, clarifying accountability and recruitment standards.

"The law will help civil servants have a clearer perception of their responsibilities and performance standards," said Hou Jianliang, Vice Minister of Personnel.

According to the law, officials should quit their posts if their negligence causes major losses or serious social repercussions.

It also stipulates that all public servants should be recruited through open and fair examinations. At present, there are still some who are directly engaged or transferred from civilian organizations.

Hou said there were about 6.37 million civil servants and over 30 million personnel working in public-funded organizations across the country by the end of 2003.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2005)