Lüqiu , a financial reporter with Phoenix TV, became widely known across the Chinese world for she was the first Chinese journalist to enter Iraq and report on the war. The day after she left Baghdad on March 29, Beijing Youth Daily talked with her.

Reporter: How well did you sleep last night without the company of guns and bombs?

Lüqiu: The first sort of real sleep. In the past five days we didn't sleep properly as we had to be ready to report and had to be ready for that day and night. We slept in our clothes most of the time. We were lucky that we were able to leave Baghdad so easily yesterday.

Reporter: What did it feel like leaving Baghdad?

Lüqiu: It was hard to leave. There were still journalists there, but our company (Phoenix TV) wanted us to leave for personal security. If only in terms of journalism, I really did not want to leave and would have liked to continue working there. But we had to obey our orders.

Reporter: One thing I am very curious about is how you made the decision to go to Iraq? One story goes that you shut off your mobile phone, and made up your mind without the permission of your company.

Lüqiu: The fact is that we were not allowed to use mobile phones when crossing the Iraqi border and there were no communication facilities after we entered Iraq. Iraq sealed the only satellite cell phone we brought. So it was impossible to make contact with the company. As for whether our actions were against an order or not, I did tell my boss in advance that I would try to see if we could get into Iraq.

Reporter: According to Ruan Cishan (a staff member of Phoenix TV), you are really very brave and said that they did not allow you to enter Iraq, even though you wanted to.

Lüqiu: In fact, they did not say yes or no and I understand that it is hard for them to make the decision.

Reporter: Why did Phoenix TV choose you for this dangerous job?

Lüqiu: It was just because I was the only one whose visa was not going to expire. I got it (visa) during the NPC and CPPCC coverage in Beijing.

Reporter: Did you hear that one broadcasting car was bombed today?

Lüqiu: Yes, two reporters were killed.

Reporter: Hearing that kind of news, are you frightened? You must have felt strange leaving Baghdad; knowing you were going from danger to safety.

Lüqiu: It is not a matter of feeling fear. In fact, every reporter in Baghdad has no time to worry about him or herself. We all know clearly that something might happen at anytime and at anyplace. God knows who will be the next victim; you just have to prepare for that.

Reporter: Most people are surprised by your courage. It seems that it is easier for younger people because they have nothing to lose. But you are a mother with a young daughter – how old is she?

Lüqiu: Six. When I first entered Iraq, I felt empty because this time was different from the war in Afghanistan. There were many uncertainties. The most terrible thing was the bombing which we can do nothing about but to trust our luck. Sometimes I really think I am very lucky.

Reporter: Could you give a brief introduction about your photographer partner? He was with you all the time but nobody saw his face.

Lüqiu: He is Cai Xiaojiang, a typical Hong Kong native. Though he joined Phoenix TV one year ago, he had provided Phoenix TV with material while he was working for Star TV before. So actually we have been working together for about five or six years and he is a very nice man. He is also aware of danger but never complains.

Reporter: What’s next?

Lüqiu: We are waiting for orders. Our company asks that we rest for one or two days first. They don’t want us to be too tired.

Reporter: Do you mean you are going to work instead of a vacation?

Lüqiu: Right, although we don’t know where we are going next.

Reporter: I want to know how you felt when you saw those killed in the bombing. How did that affect you?

Lüqiu: I just can’t figure out why they fight. Why there is a war? There are reports everyday on how many Iraqi soldiers died and how many US soldiers died. For those that died there is nothing left. The life of their friends and families will be changed forever. I really feel sorry for them.

Reporter: You say you remember from time to time that you are a journalist, so no matter what miserable things you see, you would not cry for them; no matter how exciting and happy things you see, you do not react to them. How about this time?

Lüqiu: When I saw those bodies, I did not feel very frightened. But I did feel very hopeless and sad afterwards. But in general I do not allow myself to get emotional during work as it affects my objectivity in reporting.