Anchor: Foreign media are offered with broad access to cover the two political conferences currently underway in Beijing. The reshuffling of government agencies, the livelihood of the common people, foreign journalists are given an opportunity to take a close watch on deliberations and discussions surrounding these hot topics. Liu Yan has more.
Reporter: More-than-ever, foreign media outlets are showing great interest in covering two annual sessions of China's top legislature and the country's top advisory body.
The reshuffling of the Chinese government is the focus for many of foreign reporters.
Raul Juste Lores, a Brazilian journalist who arrived in Beijing just two weeks ago and will cover the 2008 Olympic Games later this year, is one of them. Lores, currently working for the Brazilian newspaper Folha Sao Paolo, said Brazil and China are facing the similar reform in ministerial structure.
"A lot of things, I mean, the communist party is studying some changes in the ministries' shape and in the size of the government and this kind of discussion happens in Brazil as well. This kind of discussion is presented in Brazil's politics. So it means probably many of my readers will make connections about this discussion."
But for those who only took a crash course about China's situation before flying in for a few days, the two sessions present a good opportunity to learn about the political system of the country.
Gabriele Barbati, working for Italy-based television SkyTG24, is such a first-timer.
"I would like to try to understand how the Chinese politics work as in this legislative body....and it will take main or major decisions about the ministries here in China."
And Babs Verblackt, the Beijing-based correspondent for Dutch newspaper Trouw, obviously belongs to a different group. It's the second time that Verblackt has reported on China's top political events. He tells CRI that he hasn't prioritized his reporting plan.
"I'm not sure yet. I have to see when going for the opening sessions and see what are the main points and maybe try to interview some of the delegates as well, but I have to go to listen to see who is more important for me."
Foreign reporters may find it easier than before in their interviews at the two sessions as considerate services are offered by the events' news center. Dmitri S. Sobiev of the Russian State TV and Radio Broadcasting Co. is satisfied with the service.
"I think it's quite convenient. There is an online registration form if you want to interview any of the delegates."
Reporters from both China and abroad will also be given equal access in reporting the sessions. An official in charge of the media management at the two sessions, Zhu Shouchen, introduced.
"Besides press conferences having been on agenda, the news center will also organize temporary group interviews on the request of reporters who focus on similar topics."
In addition, the official said broadcasting signals from China Central Television, China National Radio and China Radio International will be offered for free for the first time, along with pictorial stories from Xinhua News Agency and wireless internet service, both free of charge for the first time, too.
Liu Yan, CRI News