Quotable

"Spain is a country with a great impact in Europe. We'd like to consolidate and expand China's relations with the European Union through developing our relations with Spain."

Premier Li Keqiang, meeting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Beijing. Rajoy promised to shorten the visa process.

"The fact that ties have been stuck in a difficult situation in recent years is the concern of people in the two countries and has come to the attention of the international community."

Cai Mingzhao, minister of the State Council Information Office, on Sino-Japan diplomatic relations, which he said are supposed to be rational and mature.  

(China Daily European Weekly 10/03/2014 page3)