Hugh Hefner, bank lending, and poultry and tire tariffs

Notable China-related quotes from the last week:

Hugh Hefner on using the Playboy logo to spread democracy in China:
"[In China] the rabbit is increasingly representing – for men and woman – personal, economic and political freedom. That is what I want."

Ba Shusong, chief economist with China Banking Association and deputy director with Finance Institute of Development Research Center of State Council, on the speed of bank lending:
“The slowdown in bank lending in the second half of 2009 was a normal economic phenomenon."

Paul W. Aho, a poultry economist and consultant, on why Beijing’s threats to cut off imports of American chicken are empty:
"We have these jumbo, juicy paws the Chinese really love, so I don’t think they are going to cut us off.”

American President Barak Obama on the imposition of tariffs on Chinese tires:
"I’m not surprised that China is upset about it. But keep in mind we have a huge economic relationship with China. I just want to make sure that if we actually have rules written down, they mean something."