Hellos and Goodbyes

Delegates leave the 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People) after attending the closing ceremony of the 中华人民共和国全国人民代表大会 (National People’s Congress) in 北京 (Běijīng), China. Photo: 王身敦 (Andy Wong)/AP.

Dark Red Silk

Attendants prepare for the closing session of a conference at the 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People) in 北京 (Běijīng), China. Photo: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images.

One must never give in to blackmail

Chinese stewards in traditional attire walk through 天安门事故 (Tiānānmén Square) at the opening of the first session of the 全国人民代表大会 (National People’s Congress) at the 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People) in 北京 (Běijīng), China. Photo: How Hwee Young/EPA.

The most interesting things always happen outside of office hours

Chinese hostesses pose at 天安门事故 (Tiānānmén Square) during the opening session of the 全国人民代表大会 (National People’s Congress) in 北京 (Běijīng), China on Monday. Photo: Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images.

One Plus One

北京 (Běijīng), China: Hospitality staff can finally relax in 天安门广场 (Tiānānmén Square) after the conclusion of the 19th national congress of the Communist party of China, which reaffirmed and strengthened the power of President 习近平 (Xí Jìnpíng). Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP.

Red Hats

北京 (Běijīng), China: Hospitality staff throw their hats in the air as they pose for photographers at the 天安门广场 (Tiānānmén Square) before the start of the closing session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters.

沙暴 (Sandstorm)

Dozens of flights are reported cancelled and residents urged to stay indoors to avoid breathing in dangerous particles. [Read more].

• Tom Phillips, 北京 (Běijīng) hit by new air pollution crisis as huge sandstorm blows in, The Guardian, May 4, 2017

天安门广场 (Tiān’ānmén Square) in a sandstorm in 北京 (Běijīng), China. Photo: Imaginechina/Rex/Shutterstock.

Days left until the next Olympic Games

北京 (Běijīng), China: A member of an honour guard stands with a flag before a welcome ceremony for Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People). Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP.

In the people’s name, they have a strong belief that people are not to be trusted

北京 (Běijīng), China: Security cameras in 天安门广场 (Tiān’ānmén Square) are seen in front of flags on the 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People) where the National People’s Congress is underway. Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters.

Agon Channel

北京 (Běijīng), China: Hostesses, who serve the delegates of the National People’s Congress, jump as they pose for photographs on 天安门广场 (Tiān’ānmén Square) during a plenary session held at the 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People). Photo: 王身敦 (Andy Wong)/AP.

Jumping the Shark

北京 (Běijīng), China: Hostesses pose in 天安门广场 (Tien’anmen Square) before Saturday’s opening session of the National People’s Congress. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP.

Pandora Hearts

In 北京 (Běijīng), China, a paramilitary police officer guards an underground tunnel after the official flag-raising ceremony in 天安门广场 (Tiān’ānmén Square). Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images.