Officials in the underdeveloped western region should be bold enough to stress the retention of professionals with a fairly high pay and good fringe benefits, according to a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Chen Jie, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, China's highest advisory body, said, “We used to stress the retention of professionals with feelings, career and an appropriate pay.”
But for the students who have just graduated from universities and colleges, feelings and career seem to be irrelevant, he said.
The drain of professionals is a “serious problem” for western China, particularly in the medical care sector, he said.
“It is not easy to train a university graduate from the countryside and it is inappropriate to send him back after graduation to work in grass-root units with harsh conditions,” he said.
Chen also emphasized the importance of educating professionals in patriotism and national dignity.
“The development of the western region also needs the support of all social sectors,” he said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2002)
