Wang Zhanjun, permanent vice chairman of the National Degree and Postgraduate Development Center, noted today that since resuming the postgraduate recruitment in 1978 and implementing the degree system in 1981, China's degree conferring work and postgraduate education have made world-noted achievements. Particularly since 1998, postgraduate enrollees have increased by about 20,000 annually. In 2002, the nation enrolled 159,000 master students and 37,000 doctoral students. Applicants for receiving the postgraduate education soar year-by-year, reaching 624,000 in 2002. Moreover, approximately 450,000 people have attended entrance examinations for in-service major study or level examinations for master degree at equivalent academic credentials in the past three years. And the postgraduate enrolment is estimated to exceed 600,000 next year.

According to statistics, China's postgraduate recruitment, graduates as well as enrolment are expanding on a year-on-year basis. In 1990, the postgraduate recruitment stood for 29,649, graduates 91,146 and enrolment 392,574, while respectively rose to 162,088, 91,146 and 392,574 in 2001. And the doctoral recruitment, graduates and enrolment went up to 32,055, 12,867 and 85,885 respectively in 2001, compared with 3337, 2457 and 11,345 in 1990.

As learned, in 2001 over 40,000 were awarded the doctorate in the US, over 30,000 in Germany and over 12,000 in China. It is predicted that in a timeframe of three years China's doctors will approach or even go parallel with that of Germany. And up to 2010, it is expected to surpass those of America, hitting 50 thousand.

Beijing-based Xinhua reported on Oct 10 that an increasing number of organization officials now strive to improve the knowledge structure on their own initiative. Statistics issued by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee show a constant turn for the better of the national officials' cultural quality and an accelerating downturn of the age. By the end of 2001, officials with a collegiate degree accounted for 54.4 percent of the total, with a half under -35.

Since the 15th Party Congress, the overall quality of official ranks has been enhanced continuously and the structure improved markedly. By the end of last year, public servants at all levels totaled 40.51 million, among whom, cadres numbered 6.932 million, administrative personnel plus specialized technicians in public institutions 21.121 million, and managerial personnel plus specialized technicians in enterprises 12.457 million. And those aged from 36 to 45 made up 30.3 percent. Professional structures of the official contingent indicate further improvement, with a proportion of 84.8 percent of professional technicians in public institutions and enterprises.

(People's Daily October 20, 2002)