'Spontaneous' answers keep press conference more lively

Overheard snippet of conversation: "Someone just asked Chongqing Mayor Huang Qifan what signal is sent by the frequent visits to the old revolutionary bases by the country's senior leaders ... and everybody laughed."

The speaker was a journalist whispering into his mobile phone - maybe dictating to his online editor? - at a press conference held by the Chongqing delegation of the National People's Congress on Friday.

Nearly 100 reporters hurled all sorts of questions at Huang, also a national legislator, at an over-packed hall in Beijing Capital Xindadu Hotel.