China in a surprise announcement says it is eliminating annual news conference by premier

Mar 4, 2024

The Chinese government says it is eliminating an annual news conference by the premier that was one of the only times a top Chinese leader took questions from the news media

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government said Monday it is eliminating an annual news conference by the premier that was one of the only times a top Chinese leader took questions from the news media.

Lou Qinjian, the spokesperson for the National People's Congress, said on the eve of the opening of the annual session of the legislature that Premier Li Qiang would not hold a news conference at the conclusion of the meeting, as has been customary.

Lou said that the congress would increase opportunities for journalists to ask questions of government ministers and other officials, as well as with the nearly 3,000 delegates to the congress.

“If there are no special circumstances, the premier’s press conference will not be held in the next few years,” he said, without further explanation.

The weeklong meeting of the largely ceremonial congress, which opens Tuesday, is being closely watched for any indications of what steps the government will take to boost the struggling economy. Li, the premier, will present an annual report at the opening that is expected to include the government's economic growth target for 2024.

___

This first name of the congress spokesperson has been corrected to Qinjian.

MORE NEWS

Brussels wants industry to ditch Chinese suppliers. Businesses are pushing back
Oct 29, 2026
Brussels wants industry to ditch Chinese suppliers. Businesses are pushing back

European industry has bristled at EU plans to force businesses to diversify their supply chains away from China, as the bloc gears up for a new package of de-risking measures later this year. In December, the European Commission will present a trio of new instruments, none of which will name China, but the overall aim is to wind down dependencies on Beijing and allow the EU to punch back in a trade war scenario. One tool – DiversifyEU – could compel businesses in key sectors to expand their...

18-Year-Old Kajal Dhochak Creates History, Becomes 1st Ever Indian Woman To Win World Wrestling Heavyweight Medal
Oct 29, 2026
18-Year-Old Kajal Dhochak Creates History, Becomes 1st Ever Indian Woman To Win World Wrestling Heavyweight Medal

Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak won silver medals at the World Championships, marking a historic first for Indian women wrestling.

Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Lionel Messi, Wins Ballon d'Or of All Time Award
Oct 29, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo Beats Lionel Messi, Wins Ballon d'Or of All Time Award

Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or of All Time award, following a month-long voting process.

Australia returns ancient stone heads to China after more than 30 years
Oct 28, 2026
Australia returns ancient stone heads to China after more than 30 years

Australia has returned two stone sculptures to China after more than 30 years abroad. The statues, showing the heads of a military official and civil servant, had been given to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra by a private collector and date back to the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration received the heads on Wednesday, according to the state broadcaster CCTV. They are thought to have been removed from two imperial mausoleums in Henan...

What China’s best new cultural spaces have in common: the light touch
Oct 28, 2026
What China’s best new cultural spaces have in common: the light touch

On a hillside in Anji, in Zhejiang province, a cluster of umbrella-like canopies steps gently down the slope, following the rows of tea bushes. There is no grand entrance, no plinth, no monumental block of stone. On October 22, at Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, this project, Anji Hood by RoarcRenew Architects, was named Cultural Space of the Year at the Frame Awards 2026, chosen from more than 1,000 submissions by 100 jurors across 10 panels. I served on the Frame Awards 2026 grand jury for the...

Hegseth pledges stronger military framework with Philippines, but lacks details
Oct 28, 2026
Hegseth pledges stronger military framework with Philippines, but lacks details

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced additional military cooperation funding for the Philippines and agreed with Manila on efforts for enhanced interoperability between their forces on Wednesday, as Washington sought to strengthen its defence posture along the first island chain. The Pentagon disclosed neither the size of the funding increase nor a timetable for the coordination initiative following Hegseth’s meeting with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr in Cebu on the...

Huawei opens defence in US criminal trial, touting its record of innovation
Oct 28, 2026
Huawei opens defence in US criminal trial, touting its record of innovation

Huawei Technologies started presenting its case on Wednesday, arguing that as a cutting-edge global tech leader it had no interest in stealing trade secrets, in a high-stakes criminal trial involving dozens of witnesses, legions of lawyers and untold millions of US dollars in legal fees. The Shenzhen-based company has pleaded not guilty to 14 criminal counts in New York’s Eastern District Court, including racketeering conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud and trade secret theft spanning more than...

Neymar Suspended For Two Matches Under Brazil's 'Vinicius Law'
Oct 28, 2026
Neymar Suspended For Two Matches Under Brazil's 'Vinicius Law'

Brazilian star Neymar has been handed a two-match suspension under the ‘Vinicius Law’ after covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent during a league game for Santos.

Why Is Real Madrid Apologising To China? The Multi-Million Dollar Answer
Oct 28, 2026
Why Is Real Madrid Apologising To China? The Multi-Million Dollar Answer

Real Madrid apologised to China after Kylian Mbappe’s Mao comments sparked backlash, sponsor exits and a La Liga broadcast suspension. But what is at stake?

Out on parole, Asaram fails to return to Jodhpur jail on time; action initiated
Oct 28, 2026
Out on parole, Asaram fails to return to Jodhpur jail on time; action initiated

The Ratanada police registered a case against the convicted godman under the Prisons Act on Tuesday night for failing to surrender within the stipulated time, even as the jail authorities refused to admit him due to the late hour.

Haryana ERC puts Eleven Power’s parallel power distribution licence on hold
Oct 28, 2026
Haryana ERC puts Eleven Power’s parallel power distribution licence on hold

The commission’s decision follows a state government directive issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, raising concerns over financial and consumer implications

Adani said to weigh deal for €3 billion energy storage firm VTTI
Oct 28, 2026
Adani said to weigh deal for €3 billion energy storage firm VTTI

Billionaire Gautam Adani is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of Dutch energy storage group VTTI. Supply disruptions have made VTTI's facilities increasingly valuable for energy trading, attracting multiple suitors. A deal could value VTTI at around €3 billion, with IFM Investors and Vitol owning significant stakes. Adani Group has been evaluating international acquisitions to accelerate its growth in various sectors.

Daily World Feed

Get yourself immersed in engaging topics right here. Daily World Feed is a multi-platform media, providing you latest breaking news straight from the industry.

Sign Up