The Great Hall's red carpet puts Chinese officials' popularity to the test
Politicians walk red-carpet tightrope between coverage and controversy
If you want to know which Chinese government officials are popular among journalists and which aren't, you'll find out at the north gate of Beijing's Great Hall of the People during the nation's annual parliamentary sessions.
Like celebrities sashaying down the red carpet for the Oscars in Hollywood, officials and delegates entering the Great Hall from the north gate have to walk down a corridor - dubbed the "ministers' corridor" - surrounded by eager journalists and cameras snapping away.
With a microphone stand set in the middle of the walkway, the officials have the chance to stop to speak or take questions as they make their way along.
State media representatives often also invite officials to the stand or call out their names from the media area.
It's a good and rare occasion for these officials - comprising the nation's ministers, vice-ministers and heads of various regulators and authorities - to test their popularity and standing among the members of the media.
Whose arrival will receive the loudest outcry from the journalists? Who will be asked the most questions?
If I were one of those officials, I'd feel quite anxious walking down that "red carpet". Would I be called, and if so, what should I say?
