Premier Li proves he's a good listener

I was taken aback when I saw the long queue of hundreds of reporters in front of the Great Hall of the People at 7 am on a smoggy Wednesday morning - three hours before a news conference where Premier Li Keqiang would meet journalists and answer their questions.

I later learned that some had waited since 4 am in the hope of getting a good seat.

Getting as close as possible to the premier's seat is probably what every reporter wants because it gives them a better chance to ask questions of the premier and a better opportunity to observe his reactions.