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I’d seen pictures of the Great Hall of the People, of course. But no picture can measure up to entering the massive building for the first time, walking into that cavernous space and taking in the atmosphere. It’s a powerful thing, to stand where so many vital decisions and votes have taken place. All due respect to my home state of Texas and its pink granite capitol building, but I’m afraid China has it beat. 其实，我原来看到过坐落在天安门广场西侧的人民大会堂的照片，但只有第一次亲眼所见并走进这座宏伟建筑时，我才真正体会到“百闻不如一见”这句话的含义。这是重要决策诞生的地方，也是进行关键性表决的场所，站在这里给我的感觉是强大和强烈。我来自美国得克萨斯州，那里也有一座用粉红色花岗岩修建的议会大厦，但我必须承认，人民大会堂绝对更胜一筹。 And this was no ordinary tour. My inaugural trip to the hall came on the opening day of this year’s National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature and the highest organ of state power. I was there to hear Premier Li Keqiang deliver the Report on the Work of the Government over the past year on behalf of the State Council. As I watched NPC deputies take their seats, I was struck by the tenor of the occasion — this was the first national legislative meeting since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China — an important juncture that will determine the future of the country. | 
