Notable China-related quotes from the last week:
Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for China’s parliament on the budget cuts at the Great Hall of the People:
“When our president… and prime minister invite foreign heads of state, during the state banquet the menu will not exceed one soup and three dishes. No Chinese liquor will be served.”
Premier Wen Jiabao on Taiwan during his speech to the National People’s Congress:
“Cross-strait relations have embarked on the track of peaceful development … We will work on the basis of the one-China principle to enhance mutual political trust between the two sides … We are also ready to hold talks on cross-strait political and military issues and create conditions for ending the state of hostility and concluding a peace agreement between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.”
Tony Wang, spokesman for Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, responding to Wen’s speech:
“A peace deal has advantages for both sides. But our thought is first to seek economic deals and political ones later.”
Feng Xiaogang, movie director, on proposed rules that celebrities should be held liable for the safety of the products they endorse:
“If stars should shoulder joint liability, then quality inspection agencies and media that publicize the ads should be held liable, too.”