Fareed Zakaria asks direct questions to Premier Wen Jiabao — about China’s abridgement of free speech and information on topics like Tiananment Square, about the books Wen Jiabao reads, and whether China will have national elections in 25 years. Premier Wen gives amiable non-answers about Tiananmen and elections, but opens up about his reading of a Roman Emperor’s “Meditations.”

Fareed Zakaria gets Premier Wen Jiabao’s first TV interview in 5 years:

“But first, I also had the rare opportunity to meet with one of the most powerful men on earth, Wen Jiabao, the prime minister of China. I met with him in his suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

He hasn’t given a television interview in five years. In fact, he has rarely spoken to American journalists. It was an extraordinary opportunity to speak with him at this crucial moment in history. …

WEN JIABAO, PREMIER OF CHINA (voice of interpreter): Before we begin, I’d like to let you know that I will use the words from the bottom of my heart to answer your question, which means that I will tell the truth to all your questions.

ZAKARIA: I look forward to the chance for this dialogue. And I begin by thanking you for giving us the opportunity and the honor…”