As of March 11, members who did not show up at the annual China People’s Political Consultative Conference reached 301, Nanfang Dushi newspaper reports. China started its annual parliamentary sessions, the National People’s Congress (NPC) and its advisory auxiliary, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), on March 5 and March 3, respectively. 252 out of 2,235 CPPCC members were absent for the second session. 84 of them did not obtain prior approval for the absence. 301 were absent for the third session. 103 of them did not get permission for the leave. Most absentees are Hong Kong members, followed by artists and athletes. Nanfang Dushi comments that such a large number of members who did not care to show up is unprecedented in the 60 year history of the CPPCC.
Source: Epoch Times, March 12, 2009
http://epochtimes.com/gb/9/3/12/n2459179.htm