Zhu Yongxin, a national political adviser, rose at 4:40 am on March 6, more than an hour ahead of the first journalist who knocked on his hotel door for an interview at 6 am.

During that hour, he finished his morning reading, and wrapped up writing a summary of the previous day's notes on being a member of CPPCC National Committee.

As deputy secretary-general of the 12th National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-chairman of the Association for Promoting Democracy Central Committee, Zhu is a veteran education expert and promoter of the habit of reading.