Whether he likes it or not, Chongqing party boss Bo Xilai is in the spotlight during the parliamentary session in Beijing.
Thanks to his crackdown on triads, Bo, as the son of one of the party 'immortals', Bo Yibo, got great attention on the sidelines of the National People's Congress. Some 200 reporters flocked to the Great Hall of the People for the rare chance to get a close look at the rising political star.
Well-prepared, if 40 minutes late, Bo was all smiles answering questions on topics ranging from snaring gang bosses and corrupt officials to his campaign to promote revolutionary culture, to lifting the impoverished Three Gorges areas, and even one about his private life.
But the media-savvy Politburo member, who had promised to take every possible question, was obviously annoyed when it was suggested he had an ulterior motive behind the blitz on triads, which has generated intense speculation in Beijing.
'Are you paving your way to the Politburo Standing Committee with the anti-triad crackdown?' asked a Taiwanese reporter. 'Are you not worried about stealing the show and outshining your bosses?'
That question was on many people's minds, and breaths were held. But after an unusual pause, he was straight-faced and appeared offended. 'We are here to discuss the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday, and our question and answer session is broadcast live on the People's Daily website,' he said. 'Let's not change the topic. I try to treat the media nicely and I hope the media can kindly return the favour.'