"The Forbidden City is exhausted and overwhelmed. The ancient buildings, historical relics, security facilities and staff members work on even though they are sick."

Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum, or the Forbidden City, explaining why the tourist attraction will close on Monday afternoons from January to March. He said the Forbidden City received an average of more than 40,000 visitors a day in 2012.

"I think it's a ridiculous illusion. It's predictable that China will not be able to surpass the US in the near future."

Zi Zhongyun

, former head of the Institute of American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, saying that in the near future the United States will still be far ahead of other countries in many aspects. A report released on Jan 8 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences says that China is likely to surpass the US in an all-around capacity by 2049.

"If Chinese companies want to be international giants, they must first survive the African challenge. Otherwise, there will be fewer opportunities to do so in the European and US markets."

Chi Jianxin, chief executive officer of the China-Africa Development Fund, saying in a recent interview that Chinese companies should increase investment in Africa because the return on investment is higher than anywhere else.

(China Daily 01/11/2013 page2)