China Two Sessions: premier Li Qiang will not speak to press in break with tradition

Annual appearances were a rare opportunity for foreign media to engage with high-ranking Chinese officials

China’s major annual political gathering has begun in Beijing, to discuss and approve the ruling Chinese Communist party’s policy direction for the year.

But amid major economic headwinds, decreasing transparency on government indicators, and growing concern among international business and investors, on Monday it was revealed the country’s leading economics official, premier Li Qiang, would no longer meet with or speak to the press.