CHAIRMAN of the pro-China Federation of Trade Unions, Cheng Yiu-tong, could become the first local delegate to China's National People's Congress to serve in the Legislative Council.
The executive committee of the 210,000-strong federation yesterday decided that Mr Cheng will represent it in the Labour functional constituency, which has two seats.
As it and its allies represent about one-third of the constituency's total electorate, the federation is almost certain to win a seat.
Mr Cheng, 46, said there should be no conflict between his roles if he is elected, adding: 'I think I can strengthen communications.' His bid was made possible by Chris Patten's electoral reform package which waived the ban on people serving in other legislatures.
Pressure has mounted within the federation in recent weeks on Mr Cheng to contest the seat. He was not enthusiastic, but was convinced by others that the federation needed a heavyweight to lead its campaign.
But he rejected suggestions he was likely to have an easy victory.
'As the constituency has changed from union vote to individual votes, it will be less certain how individual union leaders will decide.' Meanwhile, candidates from independent trade unions and civil service unions have approached the federation for support, which could mark the end of 10 years of alliance between pro-China and pro-Taiwan unions.
