US Group of Local Election Observers Concludes China Visit 　　An 11-member delegation from the American Carter Center left Chongqing in southwestern China January 13 after concluding a five-day visit to observe local elections of people's deputies at the township level. 　　They were the first non-governmental organization from outside China to witness the elections of local legislators. 　　Charles Costello, the director of the Center's Democracy Program, said that he came to China to observe direct elections and see with his own eyes the progress China has made in democracy at the township level. 　　He said the tour has helped increase mutual understanding between China and the United States 　　The delegation witnessed elections in two villages and one town and discussed China's grass-roots elections with people's deputies of the city of Chongqing, which covers 80,000 sq km. and has a population of 30 million. It is the largest industrial and commercial city in southwestern China and a major economic center on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. 　　According to local officials, 20 million people in 1,478 townships under its jurisdiction are qualified to vote. 　　 HomeNews 1999-01-14 Page3