CPPCC delegate presses Chief Executive to add more Beijing deputies to inner circle

More local delegates to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) should be appointed to local advisory bodies, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa was told yesterday.

Without naming names, Lee Kok-keung revealed one fellow CPPCC local delegate made the request during their hour-long meeting with Mr Tung at his election office yesterday.

'I believe in future, more National People's Congress local deputies and CPPCC local delegates may be appointed to sit on advisory bodies [in Hong Kong],' he said.

Mr Lee added the CPPCC had gathered elite and talented people from all sectors of society.

But non-affiliated legislator Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee said the delegate's request was inappropriate, adding that as members of a national body the delegates should focus on national affairs rather than trying to influence Hong Kong's administration.

'To raise the matter at this venue will lead one to feel that 'if you want my support, I hope you will do so [by appointing more CPPCC local delegates]',' she said.

Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said people should be appointed on their merits rather than whether they were CPPCC delegates.