WHAT THEY SAY

“The root cause of the disputed issues between China and Japan lies in the fact that Japan cannot deal with diplomatic affairs independently, but rather is reduced to a US pawn to engage in geopolitical competition with China in the Asia-pacific region. This is shameful for Japan, which is bad at maintaining its diplomatic independence and coordinating well with other Asian countries.”

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, commenting after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan not to interfere in China's domestic affairs during a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu

“China is always open to talks, but they should be based on equality and mutual respect. China will never ever accept the idea that there is a country superior to others or that one country can decide on world affairs.”

Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, on the Sino-us relationship at a press conference in Fujian Province on April 4 after meeting with foreign ministers from Asian nations

“It's impossible to have every [local] government engaged in innovation and every enterprise leading in technical innovation. There is still lots of room for development in lots of industries. As the world's largest industrial country, the majority of China's labor-intensive industries are poised to increase employment in rural areas.”

Yao Yang, director of the National School of Development and the China Center for Economic Research, both under Peking University, claiming that the best way to revitalize rural areas is to provide people with high-quality employment, in an interview with the Beijing Daily

“In previous years, administrations and local markets could cope with moving into a green transition period. But when we come to the transition period constrained by carbon-neutrality goals, we must establish a micro-economic foundation where the market plays a decisive role.”

Liu Shijin, former deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council, at the sixth National Manufacturing Power Forum held in Hebei Province in late March

“Social governance should be scientific and precise, and should avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach... Changing outmoded customs and habits is a common issue throughout the country and has public support, but it should be conducted based on social consensus.”

Xinhua News Agency criticizing a ban issued by the government of Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, on the sales of ceremonial paper money traditionally burned as offerings to the dead

“The Hong Kong-linked exchange rate system is as stable as a massive rock and there is a very small possibility that the Hong Kong dollar will decouple from the US dollar, but Hong Kong still needs to make preparations for that small possibility.”

Joseph Yam Chi-kwong, former president of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, on a TV program hosted by Hong Kong Commercial Radio on April 4

“China's objective is not to surpass the US, but to surpass ourselves and make China better.”

Hua Chunying, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, responding to US President Joe Biden's claim that he will not allow China to surpass the US, at a regular press briefing on March 26

“Education for the children of migrant workers touches on an inescapable problem, namely the basic values and attitudes of big city governments regarding migrants – whether they regard these builders and maintainers of industry as merely tools for economic growth or as dignified citizens that have a right to public services.”

Qin Kuan, a correspondent for Narada Foundation media outlet Narada Insight, in a commentary about the education of migrant children

“As everyone knows, it's very complicated and difficult to trace the source of the Covid-19 pandemic because early-stage controls were uneven as we gradually became aware of it. It's impossible to recover all the early clues and circumstances with hindsight. A clear trail to the source only exists with a politically imagined presumption of guilt.”

State media outlet Global Times commenting after the US and 13 other countries delivered a statement questioning the World Health Organization report on the source of Covid-19