36 elected as HK's deputies to new-term national legislature

HONG KONG, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-six people from different sectors of the Hong Kong society was elected here Friday as deputies to the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

Rita Fan, President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), topped the ballot tally by winning 1,118 votes from 1,169 members attending the second plenary session of the Conference for Electing Deputies of HKSAR to the 11th NPC.

Laura M. Cha, non-official member of the Executive Council of HKSAR, also prevailed in the contest among 50 candidates with 1, 108 ballots, only behind Rita Fan.

Fanny Law, former commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, who had the largest number of nominations, also won in the election at the Hong Kong Convention and Conference Center.

Incumbent deputies to the 10th NPC David Chu Yu Lin and Philip Wong, however, failed in their bid for a second term in the 11th NPC, which is to convene in Beijing to elect new state leaders and discuss state affairs this March.

Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the NPC Standing Committee Sheng Huaren, who flew to Hong Kong from Beijing, attended the second plenary session of the conference, which was presided by HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang.

In his speech after the election, Sheng congratulated on those newly-elected deputies, saying the election for deputies of HKSAR to the 11th NPC had strictly complied with the law and had proceeded by giving full play to democracy.

"It is an open, fair and just election," Sheng said, "I believe the election will be widely recognized by different sectors of the Hong Kong society."

Talking of the outgoing deputies to the 10th NPC, Sheng spoke highly of their effective contribution to helping the country develop economy, implement the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

No matter which term they serve in the NPC, Sheng said, all deputies should defend the Constitution and the Basic Law, contribute more to uniting the vast number of Hong Kong compatriots and building a brighter future for Hong Kong and for the country.

The 36 deputies elect will formally be installed into office after they pass detailed audit by a panel under the Standing Committee of the 10th NPC.