Tsang Hin-chi, a Hong Kong delegate to the National People's Congress, said yesterday he had suggested to Beijing that he step down from its Standing Committee next January.
In an interview with Radio Television Hong Kong yesterday, Mr Tsang cited his age - 73 - and his 12-year battle with renal failure as factors that led him to make the suggestion when he attended the annual meetings of the NPC and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference early last month.
'In my mind, I feel it's time for me to step down from the Standing Committee,' Mr Tsang said.
Hong Kong delegates to the NPC will be elected in December and successful candidates then elect their representative on the Standing Committee a month later.
Mr Tsang said that, with his years on the NPC, he has realised that resigning his position still required the consent of central authorities. He said he had yet to receive a reply from Beijing, but expected to be able to make a formal announcement in October.
He had not suggested stepping down as an NPC delegate and had yet to decide on this.