Seven new deputies to the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC) from the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China were chosen in Macao Friday morning.

By means of secret ballot, they were elected by members of an electoral conference composed of 203 local residents with Chinese citizenship, among whom 199 members were present at the meeting.

"The election marks the first time that Macao, after its return to the motherland, chooses its NPC deputies as an independent electoral unit," said He Chunlin, secretary-general of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress.

He said the election went on smoothly and symbolized the principle of fairness, justice and openness, noting that "Macao residents with Chinese citizenship had been rather active in participating in the election."

Together with the five NPC deputies from Macao who were chosen by the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress, the total of 12 NPC deputies from the Macao SAR will form a delegation to attend the upcoming third session of the Ninth NPC and participate in managing state affairs, He Chunlin said.

Some newly elected NPC deputies said that they would conscientiously practice their duties and contribute more to the prosperity of the motherland and the development of Macao.