Two Sessions starter and main served, dessert to follow
As thousands of deputies strode along the red carpets of the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday, heading for lunch as the sun broke out in Beijing, their Two Sessions was just beginning.
Ten days of discussion and deliberation follow for the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the talking has been under way for a couple of days at the top advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Though there is still much to consume, for most overseas observers the starter and main course have already been served – and there have been few surprises so far.