Quotable

"A lot of Americans are familiar with European, Russian or South American music, but very few of them know about Chinese music. Chinese music is very beautiful, and I like it a lot. I wish more Western people appreciated Chinese music and culture."

JOEL SCHOENHALS, US pianist, as he released an album of Chinese piano music in the United States. The album includes 16 pieces such as Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, composed in 1935 for a Chinese instrumental ensemble.

"Nobody builds a subway in two years - well, maybe China."

DILMA ROUSSEFF, Brazil's president, responding to criticism that major infrastructure projects won't be completed in time for the World Cup.

"We are deeply concerned by tensions in the East and South China Sea. We oppose any unilateral attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force."

LEADERS of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, in a communique issued at the end of a first day of talks by the Group of Seven in Brussels. The leaders did not endorse Japan's anti-China rhetoric.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 06/13/2014 page3)