Chinese Flock to Government Jobs for Generous Benefits

The tax-funded "golden rice bowl" is pretty much the same the world 'round

BEIJING — A record number of young Chinese want to become bureaucrats to get the "golden rice bowl" benefits that come with a career working for the government.

The number of people taking the country's civil-service exam had steadily dropped over the past three years but has shot up to an all-time high this year as a slowing economy has made the stability and perks of government work more attractive.

More than 1.5 million people were expected to register for the civil-service exam after a huge rush of applications Wednesday, the final day to sign up.