The 10th congress of the 16th Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened on Thursday with the attendance of 731 of the 758 deputies.

Deputies are expected to elect new senior officials for five-year terms on both the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Municipal Committee for CPC Discipline Inspection, including the new Party secretary, as well as delegates to the 17th CPC Congress later this year.

Liu Qi, secretary of the committee, delivered a work assessment report at the opening ceremony, which was televised live.

Liu Qi, secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee is delivering a work assessment report at the opening ceremony.

Liu is also president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG).

The 10th municipal Party congress, which is comprised of 743 elected and 15 invited deputies, will close on May 22.

Mayor Wang Qishan presided over the opening ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2007)