China's Ministry of Finance Saturday launched its training courses in Shanghai for 56 accountants selected from all parts of the country in a bid to cultivate much-needed competent accountants familiar with international practices, the ministry said.

The trainees were chosen from 730 candidates from across the country for the three-year training program sponsored by the ministry. About 75 percent of them have acquired postgraduate degrees, and 30 percent have been trained overseas, the ministry said in a statement.

The average age of those trainees are 35 years old. Half of them are from State-owned firms and 40 percent are from stock-holding firms

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Shanghai National Institute of Accountants, Wang Jun, vice-minister of finance, said the program is part of the efforts to implement the country's strategy of producing highly capable professionals to invigorate the country.

He said China will do its utmost to produce a great number of high-end licensed accountants or accountants with excellent skills in accountant administration.

Source: Xinhua