Tense start to China’s political sessions

At opening ceremony where restraint is the default setting, a few surprises and unscripted moments can fuel all sorts of speculation

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Chinese President Xi Jinping turns to listen to anti-graft boss Wang Qishan after the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:34pm, 3 Mar 2016Updated: 11:34pm, 3 Mar 2016

The overriding atmosphere at the opening ceremony of China’s political consultative body on Thursday was – in a word – tense. Not surprising given the annual pow-wow of the governing class has arrived at such a strained time for the nation.

Only a few days ago, Ren Zhiqiang, a real estate tycoon known for his bold criticism of the Communist Party, came under attack from several state media outlets. Ren, a party member, had slammed a media pledge to maintain “absolute loyalty” to the party. In the aftermath, his mainland-based social media accounts were shut down.

Adding to the tension in the Great Hall of the People was a rule introduced last October that calls for members who make “groundless comments” about the party leadership to be reprimanded.

And for the first time, media representatives who are not photojournalists have been banned from taking professional cameras or tripods to their seating area.

Reporters’ gear is seen inside the Great Hall of the People ahead of the annual “Two Sessions”. New restrictions have been introduced barring reporters from using professional cameras unless they are photojournalists. Photo: Reuters

Many were caught off guard by the notice, given it came just hours before the start of the ceremony.

Selfie sticks, used by many reporters to take photos of delegates submerged in crowds, were also banned from the People’s Great Hall, again for the first time.