‘Ministers passage’ back by popular demand at two sessions

2017-03-03
english.gov.cn/Xinhua

An important news spot during China’s two sessions – dubbed “ministers passage” – will be officially launched on the afternoon of March 3.

The passage, less than a hundred meters long, is located in the northern part of the Great Hall of the People. During the two sessions – the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee – the corridor is usually crowded with reporters trying to stop the passing ministers and trying to glean some information from their quick words.

According to the head of the two sessions’ media center, this year’s “ministers passage” received positive responses from departments under the State Council, and more ministers will stop at the special passage. It is expected to be an important spot to release authoritative information, explain reports and policies, introduce ministerial work, and answer questions on hot issues and common concerns.

It is also understood that the passage will see more openness and more timely responses on hot issues this year.

Meanwhile, the passage will open more channels, such as WeChat and mobile messages, for reporters to submit questions to better collect questions related to public concerns.

According to statistics, during the 2016 two sessions, the “ministers passage” opened nine times, and a total of 38 ministerial heads answered over 70 questions.