It could have been a great chance for Li Keqiang - shaping up to succeed Premier Wen Jiabao - to display political vision and exude personality before a full house of curious domestic and overseas journalists.
At Mr Wen's annual press conference at the close of the National People's Congress meeting, the new executive vice-premier was asked by a journalist from a German news agency to expound on his political convictions, as 'your role in the Chinese politics will get bigger and bigger'.
Before Mr Li - a stripling of 52 presented by Mr Wen as 'the youngest member in the cabinet' - and his boss had a chance to say anything, NPC spokesman Jiang Enzhu ruled the question out of order.
'This is Premier Wen's press conference and Vice-Premier Li will have other chances to meet the press in the future,' the spokesman said.
Mr Wen's press conference is very much a creature of censorship mentality, with most questions screened beforehand.
Such management is considered necessary, with the event broadcast live on national television and watched by millions.