2007 National People's Congress - Premier's Press Conference

Premier's Press Conference

Chinese leaders rarely give interviews or hold open press conferences, and their appearances, regardless of circumstance, are usually heavily scripted. One of the few times open press conferences are held is immediately following the National People's Congress session every year.

In 2007, Premier Wen Jiabao had to answer a series of sensitive questions involving China's increased military spending, the road to democracy, the Dalai Lama, and even a question about disgraced former Premier Zhao Ziyang. When answering a question from a reporter from the Wall Street Journal, Wen said China would like to reduce its trade surplus, but reassured the United States that the current trade imbalance will not destabilize U.S. currency values. Wen recognized the systematic problems facing the Chinese economic system. Wen reiterated the official stance that China is opposed to the weaponization of space, and that the Chinese military build-up is purely for domestic rather than for offensive purposes. On the issue of the Dalai Lama, Wen said China's government is open to dialogue with the 14th Dalai Lama as long as he gives up efforts for Tibetan independence. In reply to a question about democracy from a French reporter, Wen reiterated the age-old CCP maxim that "different states have different backgrounds, therefore democracy must be achieved based on different timelines". Wen did concede, however, that more democracy is required in the current system to combat rising corruption.

On the subject of Taiwan independence, the tone maintained the harsh rhetoric against the current administration on the island led by Chen Shui-bian while attempting not to alienate the Taiwanese electorate in general. During the two-week session, Wen was careful to add the words "de jure independence" (法理独立) as opposed to simply "independence" when referring to Taiwan. During the Press Conference, Wen also reiterated that the PRC government was in favour of perfecting the Three Links, amongst other economic and cultural ties.

In an unprecedented move, Wen began the press conference with a direct appeal to the people by reading a letter from a primary school student, subsequently voicing his concern about China's current social imbalance.