Roughly 1.5 million people from across China sat the civil service entrance examination on April 24 in 21 provinces and municipalities. Both the number of applicants and vacancies on offer is the largest ever.

The people applying for government jobs are on the rise year-on-year. Why? It's simply because there's an imbalance. If other jobs were the same in welfare benefits, including free healthcare, a good pension and easy access to affordable apartments, the zeal for government jobs would cool down.

"LIAOSHIJIE" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 128,068

Every time you go into a bookstore you will find that books related to exams for government jobs are the most popular. The exam has in a sense evolved into an independent business, as a growing number of people are taking part in training programs and buying books. Even in a tourism sense, the exam boosts the economy. Yet, it still isn't green GDP. - "MAO" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 168

Most of us complain about corrupt officials, but on the other hand we're rushing to work for government bodies. We may need to change the selection procedure for officials. Serving the people, not serving themselves, should be the prime criteria.

"SHANGGUANXUNCEN" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 56

Ukraine marked the 25th anniversary of the world's worst nuclear accident at its Chernobyl power plant on Tuesday, as Japan pressed on with efforts to control the crisis at its Fukushima plant.

Humankind's craving for energy is growing every day and is very hard to satisfy. We need more power stations to supply the growing need, and when we have overused the natural energies we have resorted to nuclear power. It's a double-edged sword; it can be an angel today and a devil tomorrow. We have met two devils already: Chernobyl and Fukushima.

"FENGYEWEIHONG" ON QQ; FOLLOWERS: 763

In the nuclear era, we should establish a new value system in which the nuclear security and the environment enjoy priority over economic and political interests. The latter only involves the interests of a small group of people, while the former influences all mankind. Once a country's nuclear action poses a threat to the environment of other states, those states have a right to interfere with affairs and should be able to advise the UN Security Council. - "KARENCHOW" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 469

When people are gradually recovering from the pains brought about by the Chernobyl disaster, Fukushima has again sounded the alert. Nuclear security is always the most important chain in the use of nuclear power.

"HUOYANDANIU" ON SOHU; FOLLOWERS: 21

A bus covered in gold foil appeared on the streets of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, on April 25. It was reported a jewelry company spent 200,000 yuan to decorate the vehicle. The interior and fare is the same as a regular bus.

In Nanjing, it's prohibited to change the color of private-owned vehicles. Is it allowed to cover a bus with gold? If an accident takes place, the cost will be huge. - "HANGZHOU DAILY" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 18,379

I want to take this bus. If I get the chance, I will bring a blade with me and scrape the gold off to sell it.

"ZHOULUDEERYUENIAO" ON SINA; FOLLOWERS: 1

People have the right to spend their money the way they want, but still I want to say: please spend the money wisely. Don't waste it on things that are meaningless.

"BANDIANTUDOU" ON SOHU; FOLLOWERS: 86

The body of the bus may glitter to much and may affect other drivers. It poses potential hazards and may cause traffic accidents. "ZHOUZIKUN" ON SOHU; FOLLOWERS: 2

Is China really that rich? Definitely not. Behind the glittering things are shabby rural schools and the helpless eyes of the poverty-stricken people. - "Y416w" on SINA; FOLLOWERS: 2

(China Daily 04/28/2011)