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)
