Quotable

"The review and approval process of public projects has offered many opportunities to corrupt officials. Fewer approval procedures mean fewer chances for bribing corrupt officials. For many officials, the new reforms may feel like someone is cutting their flesh."

Jiang Ming'an, a law professor at Peking University, commenting on Premier Li Keqiang's statement on May 13 that China would allow the market to play a bigger role in economic innovation.

"Nowadays, most government departments prefer to debunk fake news after its circulation rather than disclose the truth upfront."

Cheng Manli, a media professor at Peking University, commenting on the detention of a woman by the Beijing police for spreading rumors about a young woman's death. Ma had reportedly written in her micro blog that the migrant worker who plummeted to her death from a shopping mall in Beijing was raped by seven security guards and then thrown off the building. Beijing police said her death was a suicide, but released the statement only after hundreds of people crowded outside the mall, urging the police to investigate the case.

"Celebrities should set an example of abiding by the law, instead of flouting it. It doesn't show their power, but indicates that they are shameless."

Li Yinhe, a sociologist, commenting on online allegations that one of China's most recognized movie directors, Zhang Yimou, has violated the country's family planning policy. Zhang is reported to have fathered seven children. The local family planning authorities in Wuxi of Jiangsu province are investigating the case.

(China Daily 05/17/2013 page2)