When sent to cover possibly the driest, most pre-scripted nightmare of a political session in the world, what role does the Chinese reporter play? Coverage on the sessions is pre-drafted for mass consumption already, and unless they're looking to capture flashy minority outfits or an assemblage of hard-faced old men, there's not much else to see. So instead, young, ambitious journalists descend on the sessions in a mass of frenzied star-chasing (追星, Zhuīxīng). CPPCC members attract the lion's share of attention, as the larger legislative body pulls people from every industry including entertainment, sports, and music. Above you'll find a taste of the stars of the show this year so far (captions translated from Netease, for the most part.) more ›

Recently we stumbled across People's Daily's Survey for 2011 NPC & CPPCC Sessions. Their statement of purpose says they want to learn "the hot topics and the major concerns" from netizens about the sessions, in order to better report on the issues. The bizarre selection of questions that follow make it pretty obvious there are at least one or two other motives at work. Here's a few highlights we don't think you should miss: more ›

Uh oh, seems like the National People's Congress is planning on tightening visa regulations for foreigners and it seems like they're specifically targeting expatriates who "come to China on tourist or business visas, but work here after entering the country," as one delegate put it. While nothing specific's put down in writing, the delegate said that the restrictions would encourage foreigners to enter certain industries and steer clear of others (what?), and maybe apply for work permits before getting visas. Sounds like a headache just waiting to happen. Magic save us. more ›

The Chinese government announced that they are going to be making some changes to the simplified character system （简体字） currently used throughout mainland China. According to the Shanghai Daily, the short list of revised characters is already completed and will be released sometime in the near future. more ›

• Wen says Beijing ready to hold talks with Taiwan [The Associated Press] "China's Premier Wen Jiabao says Beijing is ready to hold talks with Taiwan on political and military issues aimed at ending hostility with the rival island. In a work report he delivered Thursday at the opening of the annual session of parliament, Wen cheered a significant improvement in ties and a major reduction in tensions over the past year with Taiwan."
• In Crisis, China Vows Openness [Washington Post] "In his first online chat with China's 1.3 billion citizens this weekend, Premier Wen Jiabao tried to charm his audience... It was almost as if Wen were campaigning for reelection, an effort unnecessary in China, where the Communist Party enjoys a monopoly on political power. But as the top legislative body, the National People's Congress, holds its annual meeting Thursday in Beijing, China's leaders acknowledge that these are extraordinary times. "
• Highlights of Premier Wen's gov't work report [Xinhua] "Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is to deliver a report on the work of his cabinet at the opening meeting of the annual full session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, scheduled to start in the Great Hall of the People at 9 a.m. Thursday."

Too much spam on your mobile phone? You're not the only one being hit or getting angry. 30 NPC delegates are thinking of enacting a PRC Information Security Protection Law, which would provide a heavy deterrent to spammers. more ›

Sohu, that bastion of hard-hitting news on the Chinese internet, serves up a video of pretty female reporters at the NPC [h/t CDT]: more ›

Xinhua: Foreign reporters enjoy greater freedom covering China's "two sessions":

Andrew Kirillov, Beijing bureau chief of the Itar-Tass News Agency in Russia, appeared joyous when registering to cover China's upcoming "two sessions", not only because he was to witness the important political event again, but he would find it much easier to locate interviewees. more ›