Officials bring political talk down to earth

Chinese reporters might have felt more comfortable covering the nation's biggest political event this year as they were exposed to more and more trendy discussions by officials who usually seem detached from ordinary people's lives.

Internet buzzwords, the most popular reality shows and TV series have been frequently cited by top leaders and spokespersons on a flurry of occasions during the ongoing national legislative and consultative meetings, giving reporters handy and eye-catching headlines.

At the curtain-rising news conference of China's top political advisory body on March 2, spokesman Lyu Xinhua ignited a media craze by saying everyone is "headstrong" in their attitude to uncover "tigers", senior-level corrupt officials, if there are any.