Young Chinese are fervent about applying for vacancies of civil servants in the state government branches and Communist Party of China (CPC) offices.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), announced on its recruitment website, www.mohrss.gov.cn, that all eligible applicants have to confirm their application information from Nov. 2 to 7.

The eligible applicants reached a record high 1.05 million, 25 percent more than that in last year.

The exams would be arranged on November 30 to test candidates administrative aptitude and essay argument writing, the website said.

The positions avidly pursued by the applicants are from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, as well as some CPC Central Committee departments.

The most popular position is one posted by the China Disabled Persons' Federation, with 4,723 applicants competing.

On average, 77 applicants would compete for each job – last year it was 60 to 1.

The recruiter said that applicants from poor families, with written documents proving their families are on the dole, could have the test fee waiver.

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2008)