Questions for the premier
Premier Wen Jiabao offers his once-a-year press conference on Friday.
Hundreds of Chinese and foreign journalists will be assembled before him in a huge salon at the Great Hall of the People. I'll be among them.
Like scores of other hacks, I'll be raising my hand to ask a question. Trust me, I won't get picked. The questions all seem to be pre-arranged by the Foreign Ministry. The press people there haven't called me to hear out what question I might have. Some of my colleagues have gotten such calls. Thus, I'll wave my arm fruitlessly, in this televised charade designed to appear spontaneous. Tens of millions of Chinese will be watching it all on TV.
In any case, if you were me, what question would you ask China's premier?
Hmmm... aside from the fact that Wen Jiabao only does one press conference a year, and President Bush does, what, two? I don't see any real difference between this and press conferences under the current U.S. administration...
Posted by: I Dunno | March 14, 2007 at 10:37 AM
I'd ask:
How long do you and Mr. Hu plan to stay in office? Will the relaxed restrictions on reporters continue past the Olympics? How does China plan on moving up the software value chain while censoring the internet and putting a freeze on new net bars?
Posted by: Chris (Eyes East) | March 14, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Why does China persist in blocking Wikipedia and other websites that do not explicitly fall under the categories of terrorism, violence, pornography and separatism?
Posted by: Kevin S. | March 14, 2007 at 08:05 PM