Beijing's Dongcheng District recently announced a 20-year official training program for its civil servants. The staffers will carry out temporary service in multinational companies, international organizations and in the governmental sectors of the United States and other developed countries. The annual budget for the temporary overseas civil service program is estimated at 50 million yuan ($7.5 million).

Dongcheng District officials said working abroad had proved to be more effective than schooling in foreign countries in boosting officials' international vision. The district in recent years has sent officials to study in countries such as Singapore, the United States and Australia, and to work in temporary positions in places such as South Korea and China's Hong Kong.

Supporters of this practice say they believe temporary working experience abroad is not just for show, but helpful. Experience in other countries will help these officials to improve their governance capacity and sense of competition. As a result, their working efficiency may improve.

Opponents, however, argue that because of differences in governance methods, the so-called "serving in temporary positions abroad" won't be similar to the situation in China. It's possible this will become just another opportunity for officials to enjoy overseas travel. Besides, if these officials only manage to pick up superficial experience unsuited to China's national conditions, what's the point of this kind of international experience?