Consumer representatives, including one from Shanghai, were chosen yesterday to attend China's first airline price hearing.

　　Their names, however, are being withheld, as are details of the reform plan. The date of the hearing is still up in the air.

　　The consumer representatives were chosen by a lucky draw by the China Consumers' Association. But their names won't be announced until they are confirmed by the State Develop-ment and Planning Commission, officials said.

　　At the hearing in Beijing, the government will seek the advise of consumers on a plan to reform airline ticket prices.

　　However, officials with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and State Development and Reform Commission declined to reveal details of the reform plan.

　　"There's already been a draft plan and after the hearing, we'll collect the advice for the State Council to finally decide," said an official surnamed Zhang of the price unit of SDPC.

　　Also, the date for the hearing hasn't been decided. It should be "around the next half of April," Zhang said.

　　In addition to consumer representatives from seven provinces and municipalities, aviation industry experts will attend the hearing.

　　The seven selected consumers are from the courts, media, and air freight.

　　Shanghai Consumers' Association selected three of the applicants to join the lucky draw. It was required that Shanghai recommend a representative engaged in commercial affairs, said Lao Jianhong, association spokeswoman.

　　Some of the applicants aren't optimistic about the results of the hearing.

　　"I often travel between domestic port cities by plane due to my work. I hope the ticket price can become more acceptable to consumers," said Xia Wei from Shanghai Zhongyi Freight Procurator Co Ltd.

　　"But I don't have much hope for any remarkable reform," said Xia.