Quotable

Eradicating poverty in rural areas on time is the "bottom line for China's building a well-off society in an all-around way, and also our solemn commitment".

President Xi Jinping, addressing a group study session of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Feb 21.

"As society and the economy develop and people become wealthier, it is natural for young people to be nurtured longer by their family."

Liao Zhengtao, a psychology lecturer at Southwest Minzu University, adding that it's normal for the younger generation to marry late - something rarely seen in their parents' generation.

"Back in 1993, when the first session of the 8th National Committee of the CPPCC was held, about 2,000 proposals were raised by members. The number climbed to 5,000 in 2008 and has remained steady at around 6,000 since 2013."

Tian Jie, deputy head of the subcommittee for handling proposals from the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on Feb 21. Tian said quality should take precedence over quantity when it comes to proposals.

(China Daily European Weekly 02/24/2017 page2)