New Perspectives Taken in Rural Management

Recently, a 19-year-old college student was elected head of the village committee in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The girl student has already assumed office after the local civil administration department approved the election. This event has caused heated public debate nation wide.

A local-based Jiangxi Daily says that the election has reflected rural people's eagerness and respect for knowledge. Traditionally, village people tend to elect prestigious elders as their leaders, believing that veterans are more experienced in handling social affairs.

As the Chinese government has issued many preferential policies to support rural development, rural residents are seeking ways to promote self-development. They want to have leaders with both capabilities and a wide knowledge scope, so that the leaders could make best arrangements to promote local development.

The paper goes on to say that the college student has won the election also because of her passion and confidence to earn her countrymen a better life. The college student may lack social experience, but she has modern perspectives and scientific ways of thinking. She promised to do practical things and has already laid down specific plans.

Meanwhile, the Beijing News also argues in a commentary that the local civil affairs administration has approved the election to show respect for the public opinion. The college student was elected by the majority of the villagers , and therefore she stands for the hope and choice of the people. The approval of her election has thus shown great respect for people's choice.