Getting tough what it's all about

Most leading Chinese newspapers, plus Reuters and some foreign papers, highlighted this information from the vice-minister.

I believe it is a show of respect for journalists to pose tough questions.

Years ago, a reporter asked the spokesman of the National Committee of the CPPCC: "How many members of the country's top political advisory body are women?"

The spokesman snapped: "Check it on the website. Next question, please."

Such questions could have been answered by reporters themselves and shouldn't take up precious time at the most-watched press conferences, like the ones held on the sidelines of the "two sessions" - the annual legislative and political advisory meetings.

Zhao Qizheng, former minister of the State Council Information Office and spokesman of the top political advisory body, said: "The tougher the question a reporter asks, the more brilliant I'll be able to answer. It's like playing table tennis - a ball batted toward me well will be hit back even better."

I applaud the following questions, which were raised on the sidelines of the annual legislative sessions:

"Have you installed air cleaners for your family?" (asked of Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian in reference to choking smog.)

"There are now migrant workers serving as national legislators, but their ability seems not to be matching their job. How can they perform their duties?"

"How much money is spent on the annual two sessions (when thousands of representatives stay in Beijing for at least a week?)"

I believe it is indeed progress when at news conferences, at least during the two sessions, spokespeople and officials who are put on the spot seldom respond to the tough questions with "no comment" or "no information for the moment".

I'm proud of my profession.

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