There are moments that history will remember, and I've been fortunate to witness some of them during the past few days.

The most impressive clips of memory are three handshakes — one between the newly elected President Xi Jinping and his predecessor Hu Jintao, one between new Premier Li Keqiang and former premier Wen Jiabao and the third between the new leaders Xi and Li.

Though the handshakes lasted for only a few seconds, they signaled the completion of the once-in-a-decade power transfer, and the start of a new era for China — the world's most populous country and second-largest economy.

I was on the second floor of the Great Hall of the People, where reporters were allowed to sit during the National People's Congress plenary session, far away from the platform where the handshakes took place.

But I could still sense the clear messages behind the gestures. They carried the regrets of some unfinished tasks of the previous leadership, the resolution of the new leadership to tackle challenges ahead and the hope of the 1.37 billion Chinese people for a better future.

As a reporter, I have been cynical in many cases in my daily life and often complain about things that are unfair or difficult in China.

At those historic moments, however, I had tears in my eyes and suddenly realized how much I love the nation.

The previous time I had such a strong feeling was during my study in the United States years ago, when I was defending China against some human rights accusations from my foreign classmates.

And Sunday's news conference — the first public appearance of Premier Li and final chapter of this year's two sessions — gave me more confidence in a better China.

 

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