Society

Top 10 quotes

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-31 07:08

"We are of high-level positions so don't bother calling the police."

Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Wei, of the No 221 Regiment of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp, after his wife Yu Fuqin, a Party secretary, slapped a tour guide who warned her not to touch an ancient mural at Mogao Grottoes in Gansu province on Oct 6. Both were removed from their posts.

"Why doesn't the public reveal their assets first? And why don't entrepreneurs make their profits public to employees?"

A provincial member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to a journalist who asked about the official asset declaration system.

"I will have your website shut down if you dare to report it."

A local education official from Jinan, Shandong province, to a journalist trying to ask him about being slapped in the face by a female teacher who accused him of harassment at a banquet. The official has kept his post, while the teacher was suspended in September.

"Go straight to the top floor. Don't choose the first or second."

Shi Guozhong, an official in Chengde, Hebei province, to a 66-year-old villager threatening to jump off a building to protest the demolition of his home in December.

"You are doomed if you fight the government. Any action against the government is illegal."

A Minhang district official in Shanghai to "nail house" protester Pan Rong, who pelted a demolition crew outside her home with petrol bombs in June last year. Pan was detained and her husband was later sentenced to eight months in prison. Their house was razed to the ground. The story was only reported by media in November.

"You are a mouthpiece for the Party or the people?"

Lu Jun, an official in Zhengzhou, Henan province, to journalists as they interviewed him about luxury homes built in an area allotted for affordable housing. His remarks imply the Party's interests contradict the people's.

"Build, baby, build."

Wang Aimin, mayor of Langfang, Hebei province, in his slogan to attract investment. He added: "Real estate is a good industry to invest in and we will offset all the losses of developers by providing free land as compensation."

"99 percent of repeat petitioners are mentally ill."

Sun Dongdong, Ministry of Health expert and professor at Peking University, to journalists. His remarks led more than 200 people to protest. He later apologized.

"Which media organization do you work for?"

Zhou Jihong, head of the national diving team who led China to seven gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, to the press as she refuted claims she fixed the results at the 11th National Games in Jinan, Shandong province. Her comments implied to the Chinese media she believed she was above questioning by lower organizations.

"Are you a member of the Party?"

Wang Guanqi, a budget administration official in Zhengzhou, Henan province, to a journalist asking him about criticism over the local dog management office's spending of more than 7 million yuan ($1 million) in two years. His comments implied only those of comparable official level were allowed to ask him questions.

(China Daily 12/31/2009 page6)