BEIJING - China's national-level government agencies, their affiliated public institutions and local branches will recruit over 19,000 civil servants in 2014, with a slight decrease from 2013.

The 2014 public service exam for national-level governments will open to applications on Wednesday, the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Monday.

In 2013's exam, 20,839 positions were open to application.

According to authorities, the 2014 public service selection will continue favoring candidates who have worked in grassroots communities.

Most positions in government agencies above provincial level will require two years of grassroots working experience. About 10 percent of all vacancies will be set aside for college graduates-turned-village-heads.

Chinese college students are encouraged to work as village officials after graduation.