One of Harvard University's top China scholars, Ezra Vogel, has been keeping an eye on the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. This year's NPC is especially important because it is selecting new government leaders for the next decade.

Vogel, author of the 2011 book Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China, is pleased that the Chinese edition of the book came off the press in January, just as the new administration was taking shape.

"The book tells the story of reform and opening-up. Some leaders are using the book to promote the next phase of reform and to increase public discussion of certain issues. I am honored to be used in this way," Vogel told China Daily.