News media from around the world are covering the Party Congress. Journalists are watching to see how the ruling party will guide the country's development over the next five years.
"What do you think the Congress will focus on?" This is probably a very popular question among foreign reporters.
With more than 1000 journalists from 55 countries and regions, this is one of the most active groups at the Great Hall of the People.
Pascal Golomer, correspondent from France 2 TV, said, "The congress is important for China and foreign countries. It's important because we want to know what Hu Jintao will say about the party's focus for the next five years."
This year, the presence of overseas journalists is almost double that of the last congress. The world's leading press is here in Beijing. And, they say it's more convenient to cover this year's Party Congress. And they show great interest in topics that will be discussed at the Party Congress.
Masood Sattar Khan, correspondent from Associated Press of Pakistan said, "I am interested in economic issues "
Bruno Birolli, Asian Bureau Chief of Le Nouvel Observateur said, "I am interested in the changes to personnel."
Foreign journalists say the Congress is destined to be a historical event in China, which will raise a series of significant suggestions for future development and construction.
They say paying attention to the Congress means paying attention to China.
Alexander Gabuev, a Russian correspondent from Russia's Kommersant Publishing House, is very interested in Hu Jintao's report.
Alexander Gabuev said, "Lots of things in the report are interesting. I am particularly interested in the inner party democracy and progress of democary, as well as inner political goals and economic development."
Foreign journalists also say a prosperous and stable China is of great importance for this world.
Allen Cheng from Bloomberg News said, "China's importance in the world is rising, so obviously when the communist party gathers for congress, people will be paying attention. It also means china's obligation in the world will be rising as well. Everybody will be paying attention on what China does. So what China does has to do it in a more transparent way, show its leadership and therefore it will gain even more support open and more friends around the world."
It really is extraordinary that a political party's national congress has attracted so much world attention. It indicates the party is becoming more democratic and open, and shows Chinese policies and decisions will significantly impact the rest of the world.
