BEIJING- The rich in China are becoming increasingly interested in public affairs, according to the latest Hurun report released Thursday.

Among the 1,000 richest people on the mainland, 152 hold public positions, with 75 being members of the National People's Congress and 72 being delegates to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Hurun Rich List 2011 showed.

The richer they are, the more political positions they have, said the report. About 30 percent of the people in Hurun Top 50 hold official political offices, and 50 percent of the Hurun Top 10.

Cut-off to make list in 2011 is up to $310 million, up from $220 million last year. Meanwhile, the number of individuals on the list falls to 1,000 from 1,363 last year.

Established as a research unit in 1999 by British accountant Rupert Hoogewerf, Hurun Report Inc. has grown into a leading luxury publishing group based in Shanghai.

Hurun Report is best known for its annual Hurun Rich List, widely considered the bible of wealth and de-facto Who's Who of Chinese business.