CPPCC member gives up post after leaving China

A political adviser who emigrated in September has submitted an application to relinquish her membership voluntarily from the CPPCC political advisory body.

Zhang Lan, 54, chairwoman of the South Beauty restaurant chain and a member of the Beijing Chaoyang District Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), had her Chinese hukou (household registration) canceled on Sept 17, the Chaoyang district government said on its micro blog on Tuesday.

She submitted a written application to give up her CPPCC membership on Tuesday, said the micro blog.

It is unknown which country she went to, and Du Wei, a spokeswoman for South Beauty Group, said that emigration is a private issue that she refused to comment about.

The emigration had triggered some controversy among people online, with many questioning whether her foreign nationality conflicted with her CPPCC membership.

CPPCC is a key advisory body for multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Established in 1949, CPPCC chooses its members from a wide variety of political and professional backgrounds. These advisers are consulted and entitled to submit proposals to the government.