Yuan Guiren, minister of education, answers questions during an interview with Su Yi (left), a a reporter from People’s Daily, and other reporters. (Photo: Liu Long from People’s Daily)

China’s progress of information disclosure and political democracy is accelerating as this year’s annual two sessions granted more access to the media, journalists reporting on the meetings were quoted as saying. 

Thursday’s annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) marks the start of the most important two weeks on China's political calendar this year. The National People's Congress (NPC) is set to begin its annual session on Saturday.

In this year’s meetings, more information has been given to the media. It is also more convenient for reporters to interview senior officials like the ministers of the State Council.

Since the reporters usually stopped those ministers on their way before the attend the meeting, a passage they have to pass is jokingly called the “Ministers’ passage” by the press.

When giving interview at the passage, Huang Shuxian, deputy secretary of the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection and minister of the Ministry of Supervision, reaffirmed China’s determination on the anti-corruption campaign.

Yuan Guiren, the minister of education, was asked about the distribution of teachers.

“Last year, the State Councilhas released several policies to send more qualified teachers into the rural areas,” Yuan believes the fundamental solution lies in education balance.

Yuan’s reply on the price of school district housing aso triggered discussion online. One journalist asked Yuan if a flat with a price of 450,000 yuan per square meter is reasonable.

“You judge it by yourself ”,Yuan replied. Netizens offered their opinions regarding the issue.

Reporters said that the greater convenience provided to media proves that the country’s information disclosure and political democracy is accelerating.

“This is a rare opportunity to interview ministers,” a foreign journalist added.