Quotable

"The activity will not only preserve classic Buddhist literature, but also help people to cultivate themselves in line with the doctrines of Buddhism."

Shi Yanzhi, the grandmaster of the Shaolin Temple in central Henan province, saying that the temple has sought the assistance of 10,000 calligraphers to copy Buddhist scriptures by hand. Shi says that a giant depository capable of storing 10,000 documents for as much as 1,000 years has been set up at the temple.

"It is a simple choice between public health and beautiful packaging."

Wang Ke'an, director of the ThinkTank Research Center for Health Development, saying that the health warnings on cigarette packets in China have failed to raise public awareness of the dangers of smoking. Wang says the government should toughen its anti-smoking stance by mandating pictorial warnings on cigarette packets as soon as possible.

"Both our nations are and will remain Pacific powers, great powers, and in order to deepen mutual understanding, we cannot shy away from addressing difficult issues."

Chuck Hagel, US defense secretary, saying that divergence and the competition between the world's two largest economies should not be ignored and should be carefully handled.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 04/18/2014 page3)