The Standing Committee of China's top legislature, National
People's Congress (NPC), has started preparations for the election
of deputies from Hong Kong and Macao to the 11th NPC.
The NPC Standing Committee sent letters on Thursday to eligible
people in the two special administrative regions, asking them
whether they are willing to be members of the Electoral Conference
for the election of the NPC deputies in their respective
regions.
According to law, the Electoral Conference in Hong Kong will
elect 36 deputies and that in Macao 12 deputies to the 11th NPC,
China's parliament.
The Electoral Conference of the Hong Kong SAR for the Election
of Deputies to the 11th NPC, according to law, shall consist of the
members of the Electoral Conference of the Hong Kong SAR for the
Election of Deputies to the 10th NPC, members of the 10th National
Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(CPPCC) from Hong Kong SAR who are not on that Electoral
Conference, and the Chinese citizens on the Election Committee for
the third term Chief Executive election, excluding those who are
not willing to serve on the new Electoral Conference.
More than 1,300 people are eligible to be members of Hong Kong's
Electoral Conference, one third more than the last Electoral
Conference.
The Electoral Conference of the Macao SAR for the Election of
Deputies to the 11th NPC shall consist of the members of the
Electoral Conference of the Macao SAR for the Election of Deputies
to the 10th NPC, members of the 10th National Committee of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from
Macao who are not on that Electoral Conference, and the Chinese
citizens on the Election Committee for the election of the second
term Chief Executive and the Third Legislative Council of the Macao
SAR, excluding those who are not willing to serve on the new
Electoral Conference.
More than 300 people are eligible to be members of Macao's
Electoral Conference, a 50 percent increase over the number of the
last Electoral Conference.
Those who are willing to be members of the Electoral Conference
are required to register at relevant offices in Hong Kong and Macao
between July 10 and 25.
The National People's Congress serves a term of five years, and
the 11th NPC will come into office in March 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2007)