Reform

Premier Li Keqiang’s government work report grabs news media headlines in China, while foreign media outlets focus more on China’s reform, efforts to control pollution, anti-corruption and military spending. A quick review of Li’s report will find the most frequent word is “reform.”

Infographic: Five key words in the govt report

What will China be like in 10 years?

For more information about the report, please visit

Xinjiang

As Premier Li promised to fight terrorism in a report to the National People's Congress, the giant screen at Beijing’s iconic Tiananmen Square showed a commercial about Xinjiang: “Xinjiang is a nice place.” News commentators and officials, including Zhu Weiqun, have urged people not to make Xinjiang synonymous with terrorism as the latter is the common enemy of humankind. On March 1, terrorists from the autonomous region attacked the railway station in Kunming, Yunnan province, killing 29 civilians and leaving more than 130 injured.

Cartoon image of Li Keqiang

A reporter from Anhui Commercial News managed to catch Premier Li Keqiang’s attention by presenting the newspaper with a cartoon image of him. Li was born in July 1955 in Dingyuan, Anhui province. Before Li walked out of a meeting on Tuesday, the reporter chased him and asked, “Premier, Have you seen the cartoon by people of your hometown?” Li thanked the reporter and took the newspaper.

American TV fan

Zhang Guoli, an actor and member of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said he is a big fan of House of Cards and Homeland, but that he doubted a Chinese television series like House of Cards can be produced due to government restrictions.

Mask failure

Huang Jiefu, former vice-minister of health and a member of CPPCC, said he seldom wears masks on days with dense levels of PM 2.5 because most of those on the market don’t work, Beijing News reported. Huang said people need special masks to prevent inhaling particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter.

Low-key

Li Xiaolin, chairwoman of China Power International Development, seemed to be unconcerned by criticism over her luxury attire in the past, but at this year’s session, the CPPCC member can be seen carrying an ordinary cloth bag during a discussion.

Dreamy

A reporter’s hairstyle hits Sina Weibo since it is cut deliberately to form the Chinese character meng (dream). The "Chinese dream," put forth by President Xi Jinping, is to build a moderately prosperous society and empower national rejuvenation. To learn more about the term, please visit