BEIJING, March 16 -- Following is a biographical sketch of Cheng Kejie, who was just elected vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC).

Cheng, male, of Zhuang ethnic group, born in November 1933, native of Shanglin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, joined Communist Party of China (CPC) in February 1984, graduated from Beijing Railway Institute in 1957.

Served as railway station intern, technician, engineer, deputy director and director of Liuzhou Railway Administration, 1957-86; vice-chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Government, 1986-89; deputy secretary of CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee and vice-chairman of the Autonomous Regional Government, 1989-90; acting chairman and chairman of the Autonomous Regional People's Government, 1990-Jan.98; and elected member of Central Committee of 14th CPC Central Committee.