Two sessions media center up and running

The media center for the annual two sessions of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies was opened to journalists and began operations on Monday.

More than 3,000 journalists have registered to cover the sessions. The session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will begin on Friday in Beijing, while that of the National People's Congress will open on Sunday. The two sessions will end in mid-March, according to a statement by the center.

The number of registrations is basically the same as that of the past few years, but the number of foreign journalists has risen rapidly, an official of the center said.

In an important year for implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), a number of economic topics have been vigorously discussed in public, such as the exchange rate of the RMB and housing prices.

The media center will hold several news conferences during the two sessions on the country's economy, and officials and professionals from ministries and other authorities will answer reporters' questions, the statement said.

"We are negotiating with the authorities, requiring them to analyze the Government Work Report and policies," said the center official, who did not give his name. He added that the officials and those from governmental departments who were invited have shown their willingness to come.

The news conference agenda will be provided to journalists via the NPC's website and its WeChat account in a timely manner, while NPC deputies' motions will be provided online for reporters.

On Monday afternoon, when a China Daily reporter went to the center in Beijing's Media Center Hotel in Haidian district, staff members were ready to provide services, such as helping journalists search for materials and find documents.

All places in the center are covered with free Wi-Fi, aiming to provide network convenience for journalists to send reports and search for materials.

Meanwhile, journalists can surf the internet free on more than 10 public computers on the center's first floor, and they can take shuttle buses to other conference venues.

In addition, brochures, agendas and materials relating to the two sessions have been provided in multiple languages.

Journalists can also conduct interviews in the center's lobby.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn

A technician tests a computer at the media center in Beijing on Monday ahead of the two sessions, which will begin this week.Feng Yongbin / China Daily