Civil service of the People's Republic of China

The civil service of the People's Republic of China consists of of all levels who run the day-to-day affairs in mainland China.

Levels

Civil servants are found in a well-defined system of ranks. The rank of a civil servant determines what positions he/she may assume in the government or the military, how much political power he/she gets, and the level of benefits in areas such as transportation and healthcare.

According to the ''Temporary Regulations for National Civil Servants'' , civil servants are put into a total of fifteen levels. The levels are:

* Premier of the People's Republic of China, Level 1
* Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China and members of the , Levels 2-3
* Leading roles of ministries or equivalents , or of or equivalents , Levels 3-4
* Assisting roles of ministries or equivalents , or of or equivalents , Levels 4-5
* Leading roles of departments or equivalents , or of or equivalents , or counsels Levels 5-7
* Assisting roles of departments or equivalents , of or equivalents , or assistant counsels Levels 6-8
* Leading roles of divisions or equivalents , of or equivalents , or consultants , Levels 7-10
* Assisting roles of divisions or equivalents , of or equivalents , or assistant consultants , Levels 8-11
* Leading roles of sections or equivalents , of or equivalents , Levels 9-12
* Assisting roles of sections or equivalents , of or equivalents , Levels 9-13
* Staff members , Levels 9-14
* Clerks , Levels 10-15

History

China has had a tradition of maintaining a large and well-organized civil service. In ancient times eligibility for employment in the civil service was determined by an Imperial examination system.