Quotable

"We should improve the relevance and flexibility of macroeconomic policies to properly manage hot money flows, and take measures to ensure the stability of overall pricing levels."

Zheng Xiaosong, Chinese assistant finance minister, saying on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia that China and other emerging economies should guard against possible financial turmoil caused by policy decisions being made in developed countries.

"It is positive that countries such as Australia and China, which have rich shale gas resources, can copy shale gas development in North America, and the problem lies with how soon it can be achieved."

Robert Hormats, undersecretary of economic growth, energy, and the environment at the US State Department, saying the major deciding factors for the success of US shale gas are not only the availability of resources, but also mature gas pipeline construction, correct supervision and rich data.

"Now is the best period for Asia, especially China, to cooperate with Africa. There will be a surge of cooperation in not only quantity but also quality."

Wei Jianguo, former vice-minister of commerce and current secretary-general of the think tank China Center for International Economic Exchange Center, saying that cooperation between China and Africa is stronger than ever, with China planning to beef up investment in Africa and Chinese companies starting to consider moving abroad.

(China Daily 04/12/2013 page14)