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China’s biggest public political event _ is it relevant?

Chinese photographers take pictures as a group of attendants pose for photos on the steps of the Great Hall of the People during a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Thursday, March 12, 2015. Much of the National People’s Congress coverage looks more like celebrity-watching than political journalism, and many members of the Chinese public are increasingly disenchanted over their lack of involvement in an annual legislature that does little to hold the government to account. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Chinese photographers take pictures as a group of attendants pose for photos on the steps of the Great Hall of the People during a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Thursday, March 12, 2015. Much of the National People’s Congress coverage looks more like celebrity-watching than political journalism, and many members of the Chinese public are increasingly disenchanted over their lack of involvement in an annual legislature that does little to hold the government to account. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Chinese photographers take pictures as a group of attendants pose for photos on the steps of the Great Hall of the People during a plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing Thursday, March 12, 2015. Much of the National People’s Congress coverage looks more like celebrity-watching than political journalism, and many members of the Chinese public are increasingly disenchanted over their lack of involvement in an annual legislature that does little to hold the government to account. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

By Associated Press 6 min read

BEIJING (AP) – It’s China’s biggest public political event of the year, but with little in the way of debate to report, local media have resorted to issuing photo galleries of attractive journalists or delegates who dance ballet to relieve their fatigue.

Much of the National People’s Congress coverage looks more like celebrity-watching than political journalism, and many members of the Chinese public are increasingly disenchanted over their lack of involvement in an annual legislature that does little to hold the government to account.

Instead, they see congressional delegates not only endorsing, but raving about, the summary of past successes and directives for the future contained in the annual “work report” of the Communist Party-controlled government.

“Everyone expresses full support for the document but never questions its inadequacies or raises doubts. They are not fulfilling their duties as people’s representatives, but have come to Beijing simply to attend a study session for 10 days or so,” said Beijing-based historian and independent commentator Zhang Lifan.

Since Premier Li Keqiang delivered the report at the opening of the congress on March 5, the key activity of the 2,964 delegates has been to gather in groups to evaluate it before the close of the session on March 15.