What does it mean when a number of provincial leaders, from different regions, claim the mechanism to appoint officials is problematic? Does it mean the current mechanism fails to provide them with enough chances of getting to know more about the officials promoted, or does it mean something else?

The claim was made at fault-finding sessions among provincial Party committee members. Such meetings, currently under way in major Chinese administrative establishments, are designed to promote a democratic working environment within the Party and among the authorities, and participants are encouraged to express whatever they think of their colleagues or the work they have done.

That many corrupt elements have been found to be abusing their power in various ways as they were promoted to higher positions does point to a problematic appointment mechanism.