"I have a simple dream. I dream about enjoying the shade under a giant rice plant. You see, in my dream, the rice plant is as tall as sorghum and a single grain is as big as a peanut."

Yuan Longping, an agricultural scientist, expressing confidence that China can reach its target unit yield of 1,000 kg per mu (0.0667 hectares) of paddy rice in 2015, five years ahead of schedule. The 83-year old Yuan, who developed the first hybrid rice varieties in China during the 1970s, said in a recent interview with Xinhuanet.com that the target would help China achieve its food security goals.

"What China is lacking is not legislation but strict enforcement."

Jackie Chan, a kung fu star, saying there are big differences between China and Singapore in anti-smoking measures. During a recent business trip, Chan said his colleague smoked even after being warned by a security guard in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, but did not dare to do the same in Singapore due to the stringent laws.

"After the 2008 Olympics, the air quality in Beijing has deteriorated. We should think about the long-term damage to the environment and consider steps to prevent them, rather than debate about them after they become serious problems."

Yao Ming, former NBA star and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, commenting on the air quality in Beijing. In recent months, China's air, water and soil pollution problems have attracted increasing public attention.

(China Daily 03/08/2013 page2)