Quotable

"We did make a mistake. We had no idea that Louis Vuitton was a luxury brand, and we were muddleheaded to put it online."

Chang Jianhua, head of the work safety bureau of Dali, Yunnan province, talking of a public bidding document the bureau issued that listed suitcases from the French fashion house and Samsonite. The document sparked criticism over the bureau's spending, with many saying the practice goes against the top leadership's frugality campaign. Chang said the bureau finally chose a much cheaper brand from Taiwan.

"We have used wireless sensor networks and other digital technologies to help analyze the correlation between environmental data in the caves and the extent of cultural relic erosion, to preserve the murals and sculptures in a more scientific way."

Wu Fatian, a researcher with Dunhuang Academy in Gansu province, saying that monitoring carbon dioxide and humidity in the world heritage-listed Mogao Grottoes was introduced to better protect the caves. More than 5,000 tourists have visited the grottoes every day since July. The academy said only 3,000 should be allowed.

"China has become an important export destination for Africa, and its rising domestic consumption bodes well for the continent as it could sustain demand for African exports."

Asha-Rose Migiro, a former United Nations deputy secretary-general, speaking at a conference at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The "Chinese dream" proposed by President Xi Jinping resonates with the dream of Africa as China and Africa can achieve common development through common efforts, she said.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/23/2013 page3)