“We hope to see a united, strong and prosperous Europe. Despite the debt problems encountered by some EU countries, Europe, with its solid economic foundation and scientific and technological strength, can beat the crisis and turn it into an opportunity for greater progress. In fighting the debt crisis, EU countries have enhanced cooperation and carried out reform with tremendous courage. This is laudable. As a result, the EU has made major progress to fiscal integration and the long-term mechanism for preventing financial risks, the European Stability Mechanism, will be launched earlier than scheduled. These steps have boosted market confidence and sent an encouraging message to the world.”
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, writing in the Financial Times, May 1, 2012.

“While a third of the population [of China] still lives on less than USD2 a day, a privileged elite has become very rich indeed. According to the Shanghai-based Hurun Report, which tracks China’s wealthy, the richest 70 members of the National People’s Congress made USD12 billion last year, bringing their net worth to an eye-popping USD90 billion. To put that number into perspective, although U.S. politicians are generally considered well-heeled, America’s top 660 power-brokers – the President, his cabinet, the Congress and the Supreme Court – are  together worth a relatively meagre USD7.5 billion. As a result, China today has the fastest-widening wealth gap in Asia.”
Tom Holland, writing in the South China Morning Post, April 12, 2012.

“Foreign friends should have full confidence that the orientation and policy of China’s reform and opening to the outside world cannot and will not be changed. Various undertakings of reform in China will continue to march forward and will never come to a halt. Friendly exchanges, especially trade and economic cooperation between China and the world, will continue to strengthen and will not be weakened. China and the world have become interdependent and inseparable so that we have to further strengthen friendship and cooperation.”
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, quoted in the Shanghai Daily, March 20, 2012.

“When people feel comfortable, usually they don’t want to have any change. But change can only make you better.”
Chinese Economist Wu Jinglian, quoted in the South China Morning Post, March 26, 2012.

“I have the courage to face the people, and to face history. There are people who will appreciate what I have done but there are also people who will criticize me. Ultimately, history will have the final say.”
Premier Wen Jiabao, quoted in the Shanghai Daily, March 15, 2012.

“I feel truly sorry. Due to incompetent abilities and institutional and other factors, there is still much room for improvement in my work. I often feel that much work remains to be finished, many things have yet to be properly addressed, and there are many regrets. They have been nine difficult but momentous years. I sincerely wish to contribute some valuable things for the people throughout my lifetime. And after my passing, people can just forget about me and all my past will just rest in peace with me underground. I will work as a burdened old horse in my last year in office to the very last day.”
Premier Wen Jiabao, quoted in the Shanghai Daily, March 15, 2012.

“Reform has reached a critical stage. Without the success of political reform, economic reforms cannot be carried out. The results that we have achieved may be lost. […] As the economy developed, it has caused unfair distribution, the loss of credibility, corruption and other issues. To solve these problems, it’s necessary to not only enter into economic reform but also political reform, especially reform of the Party and the state’s leadership system.”
Premier Wen Jiabao, quoted in the South China Morning Post, March 14, 2012.

“China has reached a crucial period in changing its economic model and [change] cannot be delayed. Reforms have entered a tough stage. We will make policies more targeted, flexible and forward-looking to maintain relatively fast economic growth and keep price levels basically stable. We will deepen reforms on taxes, the financial sector, prices and income distribution and seek breakthroughs in key areas to let market forces play a bigger role in resource allocation.”
Vice Premier Li Keqiang, quoted in the South China Morning Post, March 19, 2012.

“Whether you are entering the Chinese market or have been there for a long time, there can be no let-up in the attention you pay to the government. Government relations will always be significant, must be cultivated continuously and can never be taken for granted. A good starting point is to remember how ubiquitous the government is in China’s markets. The party-state is crucial to just about everything that a business needs to obtain or know about: land, energy, accounting standards, tax regimes, implementation of regulations or bank loans.”
Jonathan Story, Emeritus Professor at INSEAD Business School, in an article in the South China Morning Post, March 3, 2012.