Seating arrangements for delegates at the upcoming NPC (National People's Congress) and CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) sessions are to be changed to ensure a fairer chance for all delegates to take part in discussions, according to the Hong Kong-based newspaper Ta Kung Pao. It is the first time the seating arrangements have been changed in decades.

The old seating scheme was ordered by administrative division, geographical region and delegates' surnames. Once seated, a delegate remained in the same place for the duration of the conference, making participation difficult for those at the back.

But the new arrangement will divide delegates into five groups, and each group will take turns to sit near the platform. The adjustment will be one of the most visible changes to next month's NPC and CPPCC sessions.

The change is seen by some commentators as a sign that the leadership wants to encourage more equal participation in political affairs by conference delegates and ordinary people alike.

(China.org.cn by Yang Xi, February 24, 2009)