Seeing from a broader perspective

As an economics reporter covering the two sessions, I have got used to the scenario of journalists bustling around and chasing ministers, economists and businesspeople for a brief interview. Such "chases" happen so often that I had developed the illusion that the top legislative and political advisory sessions were solely about economic issues.

This year, just before the opening of the two sessions on March 3, I suffered an eye problem and was unable to take part in the first week, but this offered me the chance to observe the event from a more detached perspective.

The economy remains crucial in the discussions this year. The economic growth target, for example, has aroused global attention since China's performance will have an inevitable impact on other parts of the world.