Song Shimin's election as deputy head of Ganyu County was nothing
less than another democratic landmark. At 48 he became the first
rural entrepreneur to hold a post at this level in a local
administration. Song is a former secretary of the Party committee
of Songkou Village in Ganyu County in east China's Jiangsu
Province.
His election can be solely attributed to his outstanding personal
qualities and track record. His key role in the local people's
congress is a testament to the trust and confidence he has earned
from the people.
Not once but twice, following his appointment as branch secretary
in 1995, Song sold his own car to help raise the funds needed to
develop the local economy. Thanks to his efforts some twenty
doctoral level academics and specialists applied their expertise to
help the village with its river crab hatchery project. His vision
helped Songkou become the country's main center in the field. And
what's more it has become well known throughout the country for its
prosperity.
In
1998 the Research and Development Center of the State Council
recognized the village as the "Number One Village in Northern
Jiangsu".
In
1999 he set up the Yucheng Group to integrate hatcheries,
aquaculture and food processing. Already the group generates an
annual profit of some 6 billion yuan and contributes 1.4 billion
yuan to the local GNP.
In
recent years the increasingly broad representation of those being
elected to deputy head positions has attracted media attention.
There have been headlines announcing the election of an academic
and also the much publicized election of crosstalk star, Niu Qun at
county head level. All this has served to trigger a wider debate
about suitability for and indeed opportunity for election to the
office of county head.
There are those who say that matters concerning the office should
not be reported as hot news items and that it is inappropriate for
the role to be used as a vehicle for self promotion. Compared with
a senior academic or a celebrity from the world of entertainment,
Song Shemin does not have a high profile and his election barely
made a ripple in the pool of media attention. Yet the significance
of his success runs deep for it highlights a current of pragmatism
in local government and is indicative of solid progress in
grassroots democracy. It shows respect for and accountability to
his local constituency.
Today in China few holders of high office in local government have
risen from a rural background. However Song's election points the
way to an increasing trend for farmers to climb the ladder of
success. They have just the same rights to stand for election as
people from other walks of life. His election emphasizes that one's
family background, academic record or seniority may not be the
decisive factors in achieving high public office.
The very fact that Song's election is considered remarkable
demonstrates the need to revisit long-standing and now outdated
practices. Barriers in selection procedures should be lifted so as
not to obstruct the path of social democratic development.
(China.org.cn by Guo Xiaohong June 18, 2003)