Quotable

"In the shadow of China's recent sharp export declines, Chinese companies need to attach more importance to upgrading their products and building brands."

Liu JianJun, spokesman for the 115th China Import and Export Fair, says Chinese exporters need to increase competitiveness, undergo industrial transformation and upgrade products to help sustain growth in the future.

"It may be a good time for Chinese steel companies to invest in medium and small-sized Australian iron ore mines because their corporate valuations are falling to a reasonable level."

Chang Xingguo, project director of the international minerals and finance department with the China Mining Association, says Baosteel has taken advantage of falling iron ore prices, and that Chinese steel companies will increasingly invest in Australian mines.

"Interest rates for some private financing channels have reached 30 percent. What kind of investment could have a return of more than 30 percent?"

Li Yang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a central government think tank, says depositors are being lured by higher returns from new financial products as banks turn conservative about lending amid slower deposit growth.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 05/09/2014 page18)