The standard millet (left) and the hybrid millet (right). [Photo/m4.cn]

Millet for the Premier

Gifts are not supposed to change hands at the two sessions. But at least some people succeeded in presenting gifts to the leadership.

Zhao Zhihai, a NPC deputy from the Hebei delegation and chief agronomist of Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, brought a new type of millet he had developed to Premier Li Keqiang. He said "I'd like the Premier to know my method of growing millet could help increase output, and even grow it in arid areas."

Ge Fei, a delegate from Jiangsu province and vice director of the sports bureau of Nanjing, sent Premier Li a special gift, the mascot Lele and commemorative badges from The Youth Olympic Games held in Nanjing in 2014.