Quotable

"The fertility of the soil where genetically modified cotton is planted in China is steady with normal yield, and it is purely rumor that eating genetically modified food will cause sterilization."

Luo Yunbo, dean and professor of the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering under China Agricultural University, responds to media reports that genetically modified foods can lead to cancer or sterilization and a decline in soil fertility. All GM food that has passed official safety assessments can be eaten without concern, and so far there have been no verified cases of safety issues concerning GM food.

"Limiting real estate sales by speculative homebuyers can stimulate the rental market. The government should impose punitive measures over homes left vacant for a long time."

Chen Dongqi, deputy director of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research at the National Development and Reform Commission, speaking at a seminar about measures to curb housing price rises on Oct 22.

"No one knows the exact number of government vehicles nationwide, but the number is definitely huge. The government should cut the number as much as possible, or the supervision in place will be unable to cover the vehicles.

Ye Qing, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Bureau of Statistics, talking about government vehicle reform, in a report on xinhuanet.com on Oct 20.

(China Daily European Weekly 10/25/2013 page3)