Nothing is more invigorating than being surrounded by all shades of opinion, and that to me, a first-timer reporting on the all attention-grabbing annual two sessions, is the whole point of this political season. Simply put, it is the one time of year when the country collectively takes soundings from a so-expansive arena that covers all subjects that concern the public.

All 3,000 of the appointed delegates who convene from all across China are entitled to express their views, no matter how irrational or unrealistic some of their suggestions may seem, or whether their proposals could even be put into practice. Why then are their voices worth hearing and pondering on? Because when all voices are taken seriously, that is the first step towards progress.

It is even better when the proposals stir discussion in the media, even if they are being mocked or misinterpreted. In this age, attention is the scarcest resource and such discussion can direct you to an area you might never have imagined you would think about.

For instance, after a political advisor, Zhang Lihui, proposed that maternity leave should be extended to three years, eight political advisors jointly submitted a proposal on International Women's Day stating that senior female experts should retire at the same age as their male peers, and that maternity leave should not only be extended but that a husband and wife should take parental leave together since child rearing is a mutual responsibility.

These two proposals were among the top suggestions discussed on Chinese social media, with some netizens applauding them on the grounds that they advocate women's rights, while others critically considered them too ideal and "too good to be true". However, there is at least one thing we know for sure, that better protection of women's rights and equality is being thrust into the limelight again, and advances come from debate and discussion.

What is equally interesting in this "two sessions variety show" is the bustling reporting scene at the event. Frontline reporters from various media outlets are armed to the teeth with all the high-tech gadgets you could or even could not possibly imagine. Usually they sniff around everywhere they deem their target interviewees could turn up — hotels, canteens, even toilets — as even small pieces of information from a powerful figure or a star can make good sound bites.

Stories about reporters can also create a buzz in the media. A journalist from Xinhua News Agency recently wrote a reporter's log narrating her interview with famous actor Chen Daoming, who is also a political advisor with the CPPCC. The article was filled with her admiration of Chen, how easygoing he was and how he helped her correct the details in her feature story. The log drew massive criticism from media professionals and incited a hot discussion on where to draw the line between professionalism and fandom. One netizen wrote, "As a national-level news agency, which even allows an actor to review and rewrite the article, it is so unprofessional."

There are too many subjects worth debate during the two sessions, about the proposals, the star delegates and political advisors, the reporters … but the point is, they all make you think. And it is that thinking, that criticism that matters; as it means we care. Democracy may be a big word, but the more concerns that are voiced, the closer we come toward solving problems.

The two sessions are still in progress. There is no better time than now to rethink the society in which we are living and what we can do to make it better.