Reporters vie for shot at big news

By Xie Chuanjiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-03-14 06:24

The two sessions in Beijing are probably the largest media feast of the year for the 2,000-plus reporters covering the event.

Nearly 5,300 national legislators and political advisers offer a rare opportunity for media organizations to tap into "big news".

This year I have been assigned to cover the CPPCC National Committee.

Some of my colleagues have been working the NPC side, and have met numerous ministers and governors. I tend to get closer to more non-government figures.

The other day in a group interview with Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Construction Bank, reporters asked so many questions, I expected the next one to be: "So, what's the name of your cat?".

Renowned economist Wu Jinglian was followed by journalists everywhere he went, even to the washroom.

We even made bets on when or if he would emerge. He always showed up though.

Each media organization usually sends out their senior journalists to cover the important press conferences, and the lucky ones also get the chance to ask questions, which are always broadcast live.

The CPPCC press conferences usually focus on the most popular issues related to social welfare, such as the rural economy, and aging society. But this year even the protection of the Grand Canal has been a hot topic of discussion.

Different from the previous annual sessions, Beijing is widely open to reporters from abroad this year, who can not only reach their interviewees through official news centers, but contact their targets directly.

Competition among media is rather intense: newspapers and magazines, radio, television, websites and the latest mobile phone broadcast.

Many foreign reporters can speak very fluent Chinese, having no difficulties questioning their interviewees at all. Some reporters speak Cantonese when talking to deputies or members from Hong Kong and Macao, hoping to dig some exclusive news.

Carl De Keyzer, from Magnum Photos based in Paris, said he really wanted to know more about China and get prepared for the 2008 Olympics next year.

"The year of 2007 is very important as the 17th CPC National Congress is scheduled to convene in the second half of this year," De Keyzer told China Daily.

"I am also interested in that."

One of the impressive scenes is the "grand battle" to block ministers. Ministers attending the sessions get to the Great Hall of the People through a northern gate.

Reporters usually arrive there at least half an hour earlier and watch carefully.

Ministers of finance, commerce and health are the biggest targets, and they have to be prepared anytime to be swarmed by a group of reporters with all kinds of tricky questions.

(China Daily 03/14/2007 page6)