WHAT THEY SAY

“[China and the US] should respect each other and not interfere in their respective internal affairs. This is basic etiquette for international exchanges, just as a gentleman would never ever stick his knife and fork into food on other people’s plates.”

“Society should not let victims and women carry the costs of others’ crimes, nor should it judge their vulnerability with prejudice.” Ma Ai, a psychologist at China University of Political Science and Law, criticizing victim blaming in sexual harassment cases and calling for increased protection of women who speak out, in a public awareness video on short-video app Xigua to mark International Women's Day on March 8

“Women are not walking wombs and we cannot lift the ban on surrogacy, especially commercial surrogacy, just because there is demand for it... Commercial surrogacy is a Pandora’s box and there will be the devil to pay once we open it.” Jiang Shengnan, author and National People's Congress delegate, proposing the inclusion of “organized commercial surrogacy” into the Criminal Law during the 2021 two sessions

“The loss of male teachers at elementary and middle schools will have an impact on students ’‘ masculinity .’ We value gender equality and‘ masculinity’ and ‘femininity’ should not be labeled as genders, but the healthy and harmonious development of society requires a balance between the sexes.” Zhu Yongxin, deputy chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and a standing member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, proposing an increase of male teachers during the 2021 two sessions

“We have been researching more effective ways to encourage cross-border capital flows, create more openness and how to prevent the large market fluctuations caused by other countries. We are confident that we can do the work well.” Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, warning that quantitative easing policies implemented by the US and European countries are already having negative side-effects at a recent press conference held by China's State Council

“If we allow taxpayers to choose where they pay taxes, it would encourage them to pay in their hometowns, which could promote a balance in development between regions. Having tax options will also encourage taxpayers to further scrutinize their rights as citizens and the quantity and quality of local governance, thus promoting equality of public service among regions.”

Tang Dajie, a guest scholar at the Institute of Tax Law, Wuhan University, in a recent interview with news portal Sohu

“It is narrow-minded to suspect that China is using vaccines to expand its geopolitical influence, since vaccines are the leading means to control and overcome the coronavirus and also a major part of international cooperation in the global pandemic. China is willing to join other countries in efforts to defeat the pandemic as soon as possible.”

Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, at a press conference during the 2021 two sessions

“Over past 60 years, the average life expectancy in Xinjiang has doubled from 30 years old to 72 years old. The Uygur population in Xinjiang also doubled over the past 40 years. From 2010 to 2018 alone, the overall Uygur population increased by 25 percent, 12 times more than that of Han Chinese.”

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price's accusation that China is carrying out genocide on the Muslim populations in Xinjiang

“With the exception of Northeast China, many families in other parts of the country do not dare to have [more than one] child despite their intentions. One of the reasons is that they cannot afford the cost of raising children. So we must put more effort into incentives, especially reducing the costs of healthcare, education and child care.”

A commentary from the Xinhua News Agency after China's Health Commission recently announced intentions to make Northeast China a pilot region for lifting birth restrictions