The country's leading aircraft maker, which announced in February that it would look overseas for executives capable of propelling it forward in the international arena, has unveiled its first six new hires.

In the end, all six, who received their three-year appointment certificates yesterday, were Chinese, but the fact that the Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) looked for talent worldwide was precedent-setting.

"We received about 20 applications from overseas. Around 10 of them made it to the interview stage, along with 57 Chinese candidates," said Liu Jinghong, president of AVIC's human resources division, during yesterday's appointment ceremony.

"They were strong in expertise but did not have management experience in big enterprises," Liu said of the foreign applicants. "So, they did not quite match our job requirements. We've put them in our talent pool and we will keep in touch with them for relevant positions."

Security concerns were among considerations when looking at foreign applicants, added AVIC's Vice-President Gao Jianshe.

The five-month recruitment process began in late February and drew almost 1,000 applicants for 13 positions. Most were highly educated, with more than 90 percent holding a master's degree or better.

Applicants included employees from renowned international aircraft manufacturers, said Tan Ruisong, AVIC's vice-president.

"We decide to take the six talents based on a written test, interviews, background and security examinations," said Tan. "Their performances are crucial to the company's development. They will also be proof of whether or not the global recruitment process was successful."

AVIC was formed in November after the merger of the country's top two aircraft makers. It earned a place in Fortune's Top 500 enterprises in July, becoming the first Chinese aircraft manufacturer to make the list.

The newly recruited senior executives will become vice-presidents in the corporation's defense, aircraft, helicopter, international and capital divisions. Seven senior executive positions remain unfilled in divisions including engine, systems and technology foundation.

Among the new hires, Li Jian, 40, vice-president of the aircraft division, is a former vice-mayor of Shaoguang city, Guangdong province who has been vice-president of Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group since 2002.

Zhang Daguang, the new vice-president of the international division, is an MIT postgraduate who has worked in multinational enterprises.

"I just succeed in being employed," he said. "I will give myself six months to get used to my new role and do some research. I'll do my best."

(China Daily August 6, 2009)