Quotable

"With the development of space programs, Chinese people will take bigger strides to explore further into space."

XI JINPING, China's president, during a video call with the astronauts on the Shenzhou X manned mission on June 24 that China will further space exploration in pursuit of its space dream. Speaking via a video link from the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Xi said the space dream is part of the dream to make China stronger.

CHEN DEMING, president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, speaking at a welcoming ceremony for the delegation headed by Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Lin Join-sane. The delegation arrived in Shanghai on June 20 for a new round of talks with mainland negotiators, during which the two sides are expected to sign a cross-Straits service trade agreement.

"From the experience of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, we know that Beijing has the ability to handle the air pollution problem."

WAN GANG, minister of science and technology, speaking in an interview on June 22, adding that joint efforts were needed to tackle the worsening pollution problem in the capital. Wan said Beijing's experience in 2008 proved the city could make the change. Government data showed that over the 16 days of the Games, 10 days had Grade I and six days Grade II air quality, the best in the past decade. Beijing suspended operation of many factories and lowered the number of cars on the roads during the Games.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 06/28/2013 page3)