"A bra, which is quite small, can cost as much as several hundred yuan. Compared with the square meter price of a house, a bra is much more expensive."

Ren Zhiqiang, an outspoken Chinese real estate developer, commenting on suggestions that housing prices are extremely high in China. His controversial comment has stirred up heated debate online.

"Being a spokesperson is an occupation with high responsibility, rather than with high risk."

Zhao Qizheng, former chairman of the foreign affairs committee of China's top political advisory body, commenting on the spokesperson system in China at a recent conference. As a spokesperson, Zhao said, it is important to have an official stance and an individual personality. Spokespersons should be convinced about the reliability of their statements before they utter them in public, he said.

"When we talk about Sino-Africa cooperation, we talk more about Africa needing to learn from China's development experience. However, China also needs to learn from Africa, especially its culture, which is highly inclusive."

Li Anshan, chairman of the Chinese Society of African Historical Studies, saying in a recent interview. Apart from cultural inclusiveness, China can also learn from Africa in regards to respecting nature, he said.

(China Daily 05/24/2013 page2)