It also has the representation of compatriots of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, returned overseas Chinese, and specially invited people.

Du said it is the expectation of the CPC Central Committee that the new CPPCC leadership could fully perform its duty and work for the fulfillment of the strategic tasks set forth at the 17th CPC National Congress.

To accelerate the replacement of the old by the young in the CPPCC leadership, the CPC Central Committee proposed that some old people should retire and some comparatively young people should be put in, said Du.

According to Du, the persons who are to enter the new CPPCC leadership should meet the requirements on competence and qualifications. In addition, the leadership structure should also be taken into consideration.

The nominees should consist of leading cadres of all sides, representatives of specific fields, women and ethnic minorities, said Du without elaboration.

In general, the nominees should be born after the 1940s, but non-Communist candidates can be older, he added.

For the CPC members recommended as candidates of vice chairpersons of the CPPCC National Committee, the CPC Central Committee has organized democratic recommendation among a number of people. For those who are not CPC members, the CPC Central Committee solicited the opinions of leaders of all the eight non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC).

On Feb. 27, the CPC Central Committee called a meeting for democratic consultation with the non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personnel without party affiliation over the namelist. The list was adopted at the second plenary meeting of 17th CPC Central Committee later.

"The recommendation and nomination have been carried strictly according to the CPPCC constitution and the procedures of the CPC Central Committee for personnel work," said Du.

A consensus has been reached between the CPC and the non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personnel of non-party affiliation on the candidates' list, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2008)