国内英语新闻:China's 12th NPC has 2,896 deputies

BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The 12th National People's Congress (NPC) currently has 2,896 deputies, according to a statement issued by the NPC Standing Committee Saturday.

The statement confirmed that Fang Fenghui's qualification for deputy to the 12th NPC had been terminated.

Fang, former chief of staff of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Joint Staff Department, has been transferred to the military prosecution authority on suspicion of offering and accepting bribes, according to a decision by the CPC Central Committee released last month.

In addition, Meng Wei's resignation as a deputy to the 12th NPC was approved by the Standing Committee of Henan Provincial People's Congress.

According to Saturday's statement, Meng's qualification for deputy to the 12th NPC has also been terminated.

Meng, vice chairman of the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the 12th National People's Congress, has been under investigation for severe disciplinary violations since last November.