BEIJING — China on Sept 29 unveiled a rule to improve the contract for civil servants as part of the efforts to professionalize the civil service.

The rule, which took effect on Sept 19, details provisions in specific areas, including recruitment, appointment and administration of civil servants under contract.

The rule stipulates that contractual employment of civil servants can be used in specialized areas, but cannot apply to posts concerning state secrets. The contract term ranges from one to five years.

The rule replaced a regulation that had been in place since 2011.

The majority of civil servants are recruited through entrance examinations, and appointed to established posts.