Premier answers question from public, US teenagers By (Xinhua) Updated: 2004-03-14 17:46
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, in an unprecedented move, responded to questions
from the Chinese public and teenage students from the United States in
Beijing Sunday.
The general public, both home and abroad, have shown "great interest" in the
Government Work Report he delivered to the national legislature and his press
conference at the end of the legislative session, Wen said, noting that they
have put forward many questions to him prior to the press meeting, including 54
questions from American teenagers.
Wen was speaking at a press conference with a group of Chinese and foreign
journalists who covered the just concluded annual session of the National
People's Congress.
In response to a question on his work, Wen quoted verses of late Chairman Mao
Zedong and an ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan (born more than 2,300 years ago) to
express his determination to work harder for the country in spite of numerous
difficulties.
"I'd like express my gratitude to the public by answering one of the
questions," he said.
He said that he just received a letter from the United States written by more
than 30 students from a Kansas high school who raised 54 questions.
"They inquired a lot about China's political, economic, cultural, social
affairs and my personal life, including what my favorite food is, whether I
practice martial arts and even what the size of my shoes," he said.
"They are turning their eyes to China today," the premier said, adding that
he is also grateful to the "foreign friends who care about China's construction
work."
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