More than 800 foreign journalists and around 500 from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are to cover this year's two political sessions in China, the press center of the sessions said Wednesday.

The foreign journalists represent news organizations in both developed and developing countries, Zhao Lixing, deputy director of the press center, told Xinhua.

The annual plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, opens here Wednesday afternoon. The session of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, is scheduled to open Friday.

Some foreign media organizations had sent large teams to cover the events, Zhao said. "The sessions have attracted wide attention from foreign press."

More than 1,900 journalists on the Chinese mainland have registered for the coverage.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2010)