Can I interview you? First, who are you?

Knowing who's who is a huge challenge for reporters following the NPC. The delegate who walks past you might be a mayor or a general. You don't know, because all you have to go on is the information on their ID cards - their names and which delegation they belong to. It is not enough.

"He looks important. Let's go interview him," a reporter said to one of his colleagues. They approach the delegate. "Excuse me, do you have a few minutes for a quick interview? And who are you?"

Don't laugh, it happens all the time and it works, because the delegates understand it is impossible for all of the reporters to know his or her identity. So you just might catch a big fish there by casting your line.