In response to rising demand for democracy and transparency, campaign speeches made by scores of candidates competing for provincial bureau-level positions were broadcast live on satellite television Tuesday from east China’s Jiangsu Province.

Altogether, 117 made public presentations and responded to questions on TV Monday and Tuesday, drawing attention nationwide.

They were competing for 22 posts for 14 provincial government departments and five colleges and universities. The candidates appeared before nine judges in Nanjing, the provincial capital.

An audience of at least 20,000 observed the presentations on the spot while millions nationwide viewed the live television broadcast, the first of its kind in a country where democratic elections are in a fledgling phase.

The posts to be filled include directorships of the Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau and the Provincial Cultural Bureau, as well as the presidencies of five colleges and universities. Three of the positions are for county heads.

The making of presentations and the public’s response to them are one of the most important components of the new election process.

The original field of 117 was narrowed down to just over 60 candidates through their presentations and oral examinations. Those still in the running will take part in further competitions and examinations.

“The process is in some ways more important than the result,” said Zhu Xiaoming, one of the candidates, “since this election is very fair. If I am not elected, I know that it is because there is still a big gap between me and other candidates.”

“The election is an examination for us, through which we have learned about our weak points,” said Wei Ran, another candidate.

Hu Lingyun, secretary of the Party Committee of Southeast University, was one of the evaluators. Hu said that the candidates’ speeches and replies should illustrate their analytical abilities, understanding of policy and theories, and their ability to handle emergencies.

“My feeling is that there are many talented people in the province. Employing a good method of electing officials will provide them with more opportunities,” he said.

This new system, long in the planning, takes candidates through several rounds of selection. In the current campaign, 4,000 people were nominated for the 22 posts in two rounds of public recommendations.

In September, 1,100 candidates passed the first examination. The 117 who made their public presentations this week were selected from this group.

The system was first tested last year in Jiangsu’s Yuxian County for the position of Party committee and town head. It was then expanded to several cities, including Huai’an, Yancheng, Jintan and Nanjing.

Earlier this year, Jiangsu Province Party Secretary Li Yuanchao said at a working conference, “We should do well in the public recommendation and election of cadres. It should be carried out on a regular basis over a larger range.”

(China Daily September 29, 2004)