Rich youngsters picked for controversial training

By Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-21 11:08

SHANGHAI: A training course to turn rich children into business leaders has become a lightning rod for critics who suggest the province of Jiangsu is interfering in the market economy and catering to the wealthy.

"I feel like we are going back to the time of a planned economy," said a netizen from Hebei province on Sina.com.

"The government should focus more on creating a supportive environment for business instead of interfering in it," said the Beijing Times, which called the training course a mass production of private entrepreneurs.

Over the next two years, the Jiangsu provincial Party commission will select 1,000 rich kids from across the region.

Through the program, the upstarts will become supportive of the work of the Communist Party of China as well as capable of running a business, according to a notice on the Jiangsu provincial website.

Candidates must be successors of major and growing privately owned businesses, under 40 years of age with a university degree and good political qualifications.

The training will be considered an important experience for the students' future political development, the notice said.

An official with the organization department of CPC Jiangsu province, surnamed Ji, declined to comment on the notice, claiming the course is still in the planning stages.

He denied claims it was offered as a privilege for the offspring of rich business people.

"A selection process will choose the most qualified young entrepreneurs," he said.

Qin Haitao, another official from the office, told the Southern Metropolis News that these students could join the training on a "voluntary basis".

They will also be charged for the training, he said.

Sun Lijian, an economics professor with Fudan University, said the training is an endeavor to ensure sustainable development for the private economy.

Weng Rongdi, chairman of Langsha Group, a major privately-owned enterprise in Zhejiang province, said the training will no doubt benefit business development.

"At least it shows the government supports private business," he said.