The civil service system was developed very early in China. Among nations, China might occupy a very special position in the evolution of this system. Many methods which are used today in the field of personnel administration were used in China during the Former Han dynasty, such as school, examination, recommendation, probational appointment and annual merit rating etc. Perhaps China was the first country in the world to develop these systems, or at least was one among the earliest countries which developed these systems. This article establishes the fact that cheng-hsiang (丞相 chancellor) during the Former Han dynasty was produced through the following channel: from the provincial governor, to the minister in the central government, to the vice chancellor then to the chancellor. This finding further our appreciation of the accomplishment which China achieved in the field of personnel administration.
