Qufu city in Shandong province is studying the appraisal standards on officials’ filial piety.

Demonstrating filial piety — showing respect to parents and ancestors — is considered a key requirement for officials to gain promotion, iqilu.com reported on Thursday.

On Monday, Li Changsheng, the city’s Party secretary, said filial piety would be one of the most important conditions for officials to comply with for promotion, which caused a public stir. Some people approved of Li’s idea, while others thought it had little significance.

Yue Yaofang, deputy director of the city’s Party committee propaganda department, said on Thursday filial piety was a basic requirement for people and the officials should lead the way on this.

The city is studying the appraisal standards and these will be implemented after being perfected.