Wisdom may have dictated that Premier Wen Jiabao use his last all-important annual news conference to laud his government's economic achievements during the past decade.
Instead, the 69-year-old premier adopted a humble approach, apologising to his people for failing to accomplish some of his duties and asking them to forget him after he dies.
The once-a-year event was Wen's last, as he will step down from his party post in about six months and retire from the premiership next March. 'They have been nine difficult but momentous years,' he said.
The once-a-year press conference offers reporters a rare chance to direct questions at a top Chinese leader. When they were allowed to enter the conference room at 8.30am, they all rushed for a prominent seat.
Some Japanese reporters said they were the first to arrive at the Great Hall of the People, as early as 2am yesterday. The event started at 10.50am.
It took Wen three hours to finish the 15-question session, compared with the two hours he spent answering the same number of questions in 2003, when he hosted his first annual press session as premier.
'I feel truly sorry,' Wen said with a sad expression on his face when he was asked to summarise his achievements during his tenure. 'Due to my limited abilities, and institutional and other factors, there is still much room for improvement in my work.
