Psychologists help select officials

Over 20 psychologists were invited Saturday by local officials in Nanhai district of Foshan, Guangdong Province, to be judges in the selection of a backup talent pool of government employees.

Wang Qiuyu, an official with the Organization Department of the CPC Nanhai District Committee, told the Global Times that 160 out of 391 candidates who are under the age of 35 took part in the face-to-face interview, after they were recommended and passed a written test.

"Unlike the judges in former selections who were bosses from the related agencies as well as officials from the Organization Department, we invited a third party this year," said Wang.

The panel was composed of over 20 psychological experts and professors, who were selected by the Organization Department and required to assess the candidates' performances in the second round of tests, which accounts for 60 percent of their final score.

Candidates were asked to draw a self-portrait in five minutes, deal with an imaginary emergency, and discuss and debate with other candidates. They were also asked to play games while dressed in camouflage.

"Inviting a third party can further promote transparency of the process," Gong Weibin, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Global Times.

Gong also suggested local authorities should make public the selection process of the third party to make sure the judges' assessments are neutral and not manipulated.

"The officials are facing increasing pressure from both work and life these years, especially in the Pearl River Delta, where innovation is highly valued," Wang noted.

"That's why we put so much emphasis on the candidates' psychology," Wang added.

"Some 80 of them will be put into the talent pool of the district and receive further training. Those who are in the pool will be seen as backup and likely be promoted if there is a vacancy," Wang said, adding that about 55 percent of the 199 candidates in the pool had been selected since 2005 through such tests, which is held every two years.

Many have been promoted to at least a deputy magistrate position at the township level, said Wang.