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Nearly 8,000 people apply for one job in China

Nearly 8,000 people apply for one job in China
(Geri Lavrov / Getty Images)

7,727 applicants. That’s how many people expressed interest in a single position in Beijing.

And no. It’s not a top-of-the-ladder gig at a trendy tech company, such as Alibaba or Huawei.

It’s surprisingly the head of reception at the China Democratic League, one of the country’s eight legally recognized political parties. However, some critics have called them “fake parties,” designed to create a mirage of pluralism under the ruling Communist Party.

The revelations come after Monday’s deadline to register for the country’s civil service exams, which drew more than 1 million applications, according to CNN Money.

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When candidates register, they have to select the jobs they’re interested in.

And according to the results, this year’s most sought-after job was the gig at the China Democratic League, which saw a record-breaking 7,727 applicants.

Positions in the Chinese central government – sometimes described as the “golden rice bowl” – have become increasingly popular thanks to their generous health pension and, sometimes, housing benefits.

About 1.4 million people sat through the civil service exams in 2012, which was 20 times higher than the number a decade prior.

So it’s unlikely the record-breaking candidates who were drawn to the position at the China Democratic League applied because of the duties involved, which include scheduling meetings, working at reception and helping organize events, according to CNN Money.

It does, however, have relatively low requirements for a position with the central government in the Chinese capital. The job posting said the China Democratic League is looking for a candidate with a bachelor’s degree and just two years of work experience.

“When people make choices they tend to go wit the principle of economics. They want their gains maximized,” Zhu Lijia, a professor of public administration at the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the China Daily.

“It is natural for them to choose jobs with better benefits, more opportunities for development and good locations.