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."
(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2004)
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