NPC & CPPCC – Formidable power of the press card

By Siu Wing Han

What is the most important thing for doing reportage? A runner cannot run fast without his/her shoes; a reporter just cannot carry out duties without his/her press card.

During the days of reportage on the annual Two Sessions in Beijing, we carried the press card along with us everywhere we went to, for work or even shopping in our leisure time. We felt excited because it was the first press card we received.

With the two sessions press card, we were almost free from hustle, troublesome, suspicion when every time we passed by a checkpoint. The press card seemed like a pass to anywhere in the heart of Beijing one would like to go.

The press card was not just a proof of identity but also a privilege. So long as we presentedour press card, the unpleasant feelings of being checked would be much reduced. It did not mean we could bypass any checkpoints, but the police let us go without inspection of anything. The card really gave us convenience and thus helped save time.

Moreover, all the passageways and tunnels leading to Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People were all blocked from the general public, but we had the privilege to go through without being questioned and checked.

The two sessions press card was by no means free us from security check, but it could eliminate a lot of unnecessary troubles. We treasured very much that privilege, though it only lasted for the Two Sessions period, or seven days in our case.