CPPCC accepts resignation of South Beauty chairwoman

A political adviser who emigrated in September was allowed to relinquish her membership in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a key political advisory body.

Zhang Lan, 54, chairwoman of the South Beauty restaurant chain who was a member of the Beijing Chaoyang District Committee of the CPPCC, is no longer a CPPCC member, according to a report in the Beijing Times.

The Chaoyang District Committee of the CPPCC made the decision during a meeting on Nov 30 after Zhang submitted an application to relinquish her membership voluntarily.

Zhang had her Chinese hukou (household registration) canceled on Sept 17, the Chaoyang district government said on its micro blog last month, without saying which country she moved to.

South Beauty Group is expected to be listed in Hong Kong next year, according to a report in the Guangzhou Daily over the weekend.

Du Wei, a spokeswoman for South Beauty Group, refused to comment over Zhang's emigration because "it is a private issue".

The CPPCC, established in 1949, is China's key advisory body for multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Party.

The CPPCC members are from different political and professional backgrounds, and they are consulted and entitled to submit proposals to the government.