Peixian County in Jiangsu Province has selected a candidate to lead the county through an open, competitive process.

If approved by the county's lawmakers, Meng Tielin would become the first county chief in China to be recommended and elected through transparent procedures, the Yangcheng Evening News said Monday.

The election began with a vote by 754 officials at the level of vice department chief and above. Six candidates were selected from 70 applicants to continue competition in late October.

In Guangdong and some other provinces, public selection of officials skips this process. Candidates for some government offices open to public selection would normally only have to pass written tests, interviews and a certain period when the public is allowed to comment on the candidates.

The six candidates in Peixian were asked to write research reports on how to develop the local economy and face seven or eight judges in question-and-answer sessions, followed by a "public opinion poll" by 123 officials.

Meng's candidacy for county chief is expected to be approved by the local people's congress.

(Shenzhen Daily December 9, 2003)