Confidence stems from 'crisis consciousness'

A catchword at the ongoing sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is "confidence". At the two sessions, NPC deputies and CPPCC members, wherever they come from, grassroots or top-level departments, all have expressed their full confidence in the national economy. In the context of the global financial crisis, the reaffirmation of confidence nationwide remains important.

Now let's look at a calculated change to the opening ceremony of this year's NPC session, where all present stood and sang the national anthem. In the past it has been played but not sung.

At this solemn occasion, the singing of the national anthem by all deputies sends an unequivocal message to the entire nation that "we should be united as one" and that "Chinese people have come to the most dangerous moment", just as the national anthem says.