I've attended many a concert in the Great Hall of the People, but a band played just beside my seat for the first time yesterday.

It played the National Anthem, heralding the opening of the 5th Session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

I was one of the journalists covering this important event in the political lives of the Chinese people.

As chairman of the National Committee of the 10th CPPCC Jia Qinglin delivered the opening address, a friend sent me a text message saying he was watching the live broadcast on TV and couldn't see me, though he envied me for being there.

It was an exciting experience to be so close to the CPPCC, especially before and after the opening ceremony in the lobby, where one celebrity after another showed up, all escorted by my fellow journalists. The two most popular I saw were China's actress Gong Li and Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing.

But, as we know, CPPCC is not only about celebrities. Here one comes to understand the meaning of "all walks of life", as members of various circles from across the country assemble in the Great Hall of the People to voice their opinions.

Members of minority groups were in their traditional dresses, reflecting the wide ethnic and cultural mix of the country.

Du Mei, a writer from the Ewenki minority from Inner Mongolia, said that she didn't put on traditional dresses too often, but she treasured every such occasion.

"I feel very proud when I'm dressed in Ewenki clothes, because then I represent my people," said Du, who will make a proposal to preserve ethnic cultures.

Ding Guangzhi, an imam from the Minquan County of Central China's Henan Province, said he was going to submit a proposal on the training of minority cadres at the township level.

The political life of the people became more tangible, and concrete, than ever before during my first day of covering the CPPCC.

(China Daily 03/05/2007 page3)