Pursuit of frugality

Liu Hongyu, a national political adviser from the legal sector, said the pursuit of frugality can be seen in the organization of the two sessions, including fewer printed materials and signs warning against wasting food being displayed in many places.

"The sessions were shorter but more effective. Everyone got straight to the point in discussions, raising questions and suggestions directly," she said. "Every day back at the hotel, we need to sort out our thoughts and answer questions from reporters online, and sometimes we keep busy until midnight."

To condense the duration of the two sessions, some meetings were scheduled for evenings. For example, the NPC held its preparatory meeting at 8 pm on Thursday to adopt its agenda. After that, it held its news conference at 9:40 pm.

Many face-to-face situations have been moved online to reduce the number of participants and to ensure the effectiveness of epidemic prevention measures. Gone are the days when reporters swarmed around the Great Hall of the People, trying to interview NPC deputies and CPPCC members. Now they can get interviews by making an appointment.

Virtual connection

The regular news conferences and sideline interviews are held via video link, with interviewees in the Great Hall of the People and reporters at the Media Center Hotel. Reporters are required to wear masks and the microphones they use are sterilized.

Zhao said he was interviewed through various channels, including by social media, phone and video. He also made a video blog about his daily routine as an NPC deputy to let the public know about the work of legislators.

"As plenary meetings have been condensed, delegates can have more time in smaller group discussions so that we can have deeper and more thorough exchanges to generate more ideas, which is also more practical," he said.

"As the country starts the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), it requires us to be pragmatic and overcome bureaucracy at work," he said, adding that he will spend more time and energy at the grassroots and on the front line of agricultural production in order to contribute to rural vitalization.