Local National People's Congress delegates will seek to reverse its Standing Committee's decision against setting up an office in Hong Kong. Delegate Ma Lik said most of his colleagues wanted an independent office. Before the handover, Xinhua played a dominant role in the work of local delegates. Mr Ma said the Standing Committee had only rejected the idea of the committee opening an office in Hong Kong. 'It doesn't mean the SAR's delegates can't open their own office. It doesn't mean we shouldn't ask the SAR Government for funding,' he said. 'We need our own office to keep contact with the people of Hong Kong.' Mr Ma said the delegates would prepare a draft proposal for the Standing Committee's reconsideration.
