Sound Bites

"We can't let the rich areas get richer and poor ones get poorer. Both the rich and the poor are children of their parents and should be treated equally, with as much love and support as the other."

Ji Binxuan, NPC deputy and Party secretary of Heilongjiang province, said the central government should maintain balanced investment in all areas.

"Without young talent, China's local operas will be difficult to preserve and pass on to new generations."