Residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) with Chinese citizenship Saturday began applying to become deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), the supreme legislative body of China.

Paul Chi Meng Pun came to the registration site minutes ahead of scheduled time. "Being NPC deputies, Macao residents will be able to have a better opportunity to take part in exercising state power and contribute more to the prosperity of the motherland," he said.

He noted that NPC deputies from the Macao SAR will not interfere with the internal affairs of the region which enjoys a high degree of autonomy. "It right demonstrates the 'one country, two systems' principle," he said.

It is the first time that Macao acts as an independent unit to choose NPC deputies.

Up to 5:30 p.m., a total of 14 Macao residents with Chinese citizenship asked for application forms. The application process will go on till January 22.