Abstract
Reporter Ma Jing with the Wen Wei Po newspaper in Hong Kong found
it easier for her to cover the ongoing "two sessions" of Beijing
this year, as she could not only listen to the discussion of attendants,
but raise questions.
The two sessions refer to the annual conferences of legislative and
advisory bodies, in which economic and social development plans shall
be deliberated and goals formulated.
"In the past, we were just allowed to listen to reports and discussions,"
recalled Ma, who was the first to ask questions on Sunday afternoon,
when four deputy groups attending the first plenary session of the
13th Beijing People's Congress opened to journalists.
Ma's question was about government measures to check hiking prices,
which was answered by officials with the Beijing municipal government
joining discussion of the Chaoyang district group by listing measures
to help low-income households.
"Their reply was frank and substantial, not beating around the bush,"
Ma appeared satisfied. "We are no longer standers-by. The questions
to deputies brings us closer to Beijing's development."
Äpart from the question-and-answer, we also welcome journalists'
application for interview, which we will try our best to arrange
them," said Zhang Changchun, an official in charge of journalists
covering Beijing's "two sessions".
According to Zhang, 195 journalists from 65 media organizations in
18 countries and regions outside the Chinese mainland, including
those from Reuters, AFP, CNN and Kyodo News Service, had registered
to cover the political events. The journalist number was 50 percent
up from last year.
To facilitate their work, a media center providing Internet and fax
services was set up. Each journalist could get a handbook upon registration
with information like general introduction to China's political system,
name list of deputies and schedule of the sessions.
"We welcome this opening up," said Ben Blanchard with Reuters, "The
Olympic Games this year and Beijing's development have become topical
issues of the whole world, which makes local 'two sessions' increasingly
important to us."
Japanese reporter Joji Uramatsu was interested mostly in issues like
preparations for the Olympic Games, food safety and price hikes.
"More transparency of the 'two sessions' is helpful for us to know
China better and also for China to present itself to the world with
a better image."
New measures taken in this year's "two sessions" in Beijing mirrored
the trend that China is on the track to free information flow, noted
Jia Pinrong, vice head with the Public Relations and Public Opinion
Institute of the Communication University of China.
According to the "Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by
Foreign Journalists During the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory
Period" that took effect on Jan. 1, foreign journalists would not
necessarily have to be accompanied or assisted by a Chinese official
when they report in China. Also, they no longer need to apply to
provincial foreign affairs offices for permission to report in all
Chinese provinces.
"With its economic growth and social internationalization, China is
becoming more confident to embrace the outside world," Jia said.
"It is a new step to answer questions from foreign media, which is
worth trying," said Yu Wuyi, vice chairman of the People's Congress
of Chaoyang District, a congregating area of foreigners in Beijing.
"We hope the developing Chaoyang would attract more attention from
foreign media," he said.
Beijing in full preparation for smooth "two sessions"
Lawmakers, advisors gather in Beijing for annual full sessions
Nearly 15,000 police forces to patrol Beijing streets during two
sessions period
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