"The environmental problems that occurred in developed countries over more than 100 years have all taken place in China in the past 20 years."

- Wang Jirong, vice-director of State Environmental Protection Administration, commenting on the pressure rapid urbanization in China has placed on the country's environment.

"I keep telling them that it shows a person's love for her mother tongue and her country when she speaks her own language very well."

- Lyudmila Putin, wife of Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling the media how she educated their two daughters.

"I've just seen the limited edition CD and VCD of my new album. The production was so bad that I would like to warn everybody not to buy them."

- Lu Yi, one of China's top actors, asking his fans not to buy his new albums, which he claims were not produced well by the record company.

"It's understandable that those young parents who are pursuing success have such expectations of their children."

- Sociology professor Xia Xueluan commenting on a survey showing that young parents hope their children can attain higher social status and more wealth in the future than their parents have. However, elderly parents want their children to lead comfortable lives.

"The craze among elderly people to remarry and the difficulties of getting the right partner co-exist in our community."

- Xiong Bijun, expert of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, commenting on the problems elderly people confront. About six out of 10 elderly couples who remarry end up in divorce. The country has 120 million elderly citizens, among which 45 million are over the age of 60 and have lost their spouses.