China's President Hu Jintao held a news conference with foreign journalists -- his first newser in six years. The news conference was by invitation only, and questions had to be submitted in advance.
Sounds like Canadian national political reporters could have felt right at home. :)
Mr. Hu did not commit any news. According to news agency reports, he spoke warmly about the Olympic spirit and denounced anyone who would politicize the Games. He said China’s economy would pursue steady, relatively fast development while also controlling excessive price increases. He said that his favorite sports were swimming and table tennis and that he dreamed of playing on the Chinese team.
“But I would like to let you know that since the lineup of the Chinese table tennis team is already finalized and made public, it seems that my wish could not be granted,” he said.
Had his comments been conveyed through the usual channels of China’s state media, none would have generated much foreign coverage. But the Communist Party regards the Olympics as a stage on which to present itself anew to the international community. How could China’s top leader not step out from behind his curtain and speak directly to the outside world?
The only headline Beijing’s propaganda officials sought was “Hu Speaks to Foreign Media.”*
* Note: the lead story when I posted this was Hu warns against politicizing Olympics
By Friday afternoon, several hours after the briefing, the English-language Web site of Xinhua, the country’s official news agency, carried a banner article about Mr. Hu’s remarks. The emphasis was that he had appeared “in a joint interview with journalists from 25 news organizations across the world.” Later, a large photograph showed a smiling Mr. Hu shaking hands with foreign journalists, who had been asked to form a receiving line.
And here's the line:
Here are some of the other headlines on Xinhua stemming from the newser:
Chinese president vows to ease reporting after Olympics
Chinese president says Olympics show country's peace-loving image
Chinese president welcomes the legacy China and world will gain from the Games
Hu Jintao vows to deepen economic, political reform after Olympics
President Hu: China holds tight budgets for Olympic Games
Now that's getting the message out! Well done, Xinhua!